Helen Blake

Helen Patten Blake, 88, of Orem Utah, returned to her Father in Heaven on June 3, 2023.  She was born Helen Ann Maycock on March 30, 1935 in Provo, Utah to Lorna Bird Booth and Lawrence S. Maycock.  Her parents, grandparents, and Helen‘s own family lived on Main Street in Orem, Utah for many decades, beginning in 1903.

Helen married Thomas J. Patten (also of Orem) in the Manti Temple on December 3, 1953 after Tom’s mission to Denmark and Helen’s graduation from Lincoln High School.  They lived in Germany during Tom's military service, then built a home and raised eight children on their Orem farm until Tom's death in 1984.

During her 31-year marriage, Helen served in numerous church, music, school and community callings, attended college and worked tirelessly as a farmer, wife and mother.  She also owned and operated Schonwald Terrace, a German restaurant and reception center in Orem for eight years.

Helen subsequently married George Blake, originally from Vineyard, who was also widowed.  They were married May 25, 1985 in the Provo Temple, and raised their blended family in Minnesota and Utah for another 31 years until George's death at age 98 in 2016.  Helen and George golfed, gardened, traveled extensively, and served a mission together in Frankfurt, Germany.

Helen's children are Laura (Don) Imbler, Paulette (Scott) Durfee, Leslie Patten Riddle, Jeffrey Patten, Eric (Cindy) Patten, Kristian (Neala) Patten, Mathew (Kristen) Patten and Timothy (Joy) Patten.  Her step-children are Rowland (Linda) Blake, Carla (K-Lynn) Paul, Lorraine (Seth Phillips) Blake, and Henry (Mary) Blake.  Jeffrey, Paulette and Carla predeceased Helen.  Her much-loved descendant's number 139, with more due this year.

Helen taught her large family by example, raising them to work hard, to serve others, and to share her deep faith.  She was an excellent seamstress, quilter, rug braider, writer, historian, gardener, baker, and listener — in spite of a 28-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Helen truly endured to the end with love, optimism and joy.

Funeral services will be held at the Sundberg-Olpin Wheeler Mortuary at 495 S. State Street, Orem at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 13th, with family visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.  Interment will follow at the Orem City Cemetery, where Helen will await the Resurrection alongside Tom and previous generations of their family members.

While flowers were among Helen's passions, donations in lieu can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org/

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services they can be viewed by clicking HERE

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