Obituary of Arlene Patterson

Arlene Christensen Patterson (affectionately known as Mayo) passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 27, 2021. She was born on February 24, 1934 in Driggs, ID to Dell P. and Emily N. Sheets Christensen. Arlene was the oldest, followed by Kent, Norma and Milton. She grew up in Rexburg, ID. She lived in Seattle, WA during WWII while her parents worked at Boeing and then they moved to Caldwell, ID. She graduated from Caldwell High School in 1952 and went on to work at Idaho Power. On November 3, 1954 she married Dale Powell Patterson in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. Together they had three children: Patti Dalene, Kelly and Bradley. In 1963 Mayo was named Key Woman by the Payette, ID Jay-C-Ettes and was outstanding state vice president of the Idaho Jay-C-Ettes in 1964. She served as vice president of both the local and state organizations. In the fall of 1964 the family left Payette and moved to Twin Falls to own and operate Twin Falls Mortuary with the William J. Boyd family. In October 1966 Mayo, Dale and family welcomed nephew Terry Taylor into their home when his parents died suddenly. In 1968 Mayo was nominated and chosen as the representative from the state of Idaho of The Outstanding Young Women of America. The award is given to women age 21 to 35 who give their time and efforts for the betterment of community, country, and profession. Mayo worked at JC Penney, for William Langley, Attorney at Law, and then for the state of Idaho in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as administrative secretary. She retired from the Division after 26 years. She was also active in the community. She volunteered for the Red Cross, American Cancer Society, the Elks Rehabilitation, the PTA, the YMCA, and Children’s Theatre where she did the publicity and the music. She served 60 years as a ward organist. She was Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, Stake Young Women’s Secretary, and held numerous other callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mayo loved to wink and smile and taught many children how to wink over the years. She also taught piano lessons for 50 years. She loved her family and was always their biggest fan. Mayo kept busy serving others, taking bread and meals to others, knitting slippers, and going to Sonic for cokes two times a day except Sunday. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; son/nephew Terry; her parents; brother, Kent; sister, Norma; niece Chessa; and nephew, Tyler. She leaves behind her brother, Milton (Kathy) Christensen of Caldwell, ID; daughter, Patti Dalene of Twin Falls, ID; son, Kelly (Jeanene) of Salt Lake City, UT; Bradley (LaRae) of Centeville, UT; daughter-in-law/niece, Shauna Baker of Nampa, ID; and grandchildren Jen McCurdy, Angie (Brian) Winter of Layton, UT, Andrew Patterson of Salt Lake City, UT, Kate (Carter) Babcock of New York, NY, Tyler Patterson of Salt Lake City, UT, Isabel Patterson (Stephen Kuronya) of Salt Lake City, UT, Jarom (Megan) Taylor, Collette Taylor and Aaron (Jordan) Taylor, all of Nampa, ID. She also leaves 10 great-grandchildren. Mayo was excitedly awaiting the birth of her great-great grandson, making 5 generations, in March A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday February 2, 2021 from 7-9pm at Rosenau Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday February 3, 2021 at 10:00am at the Temple Dr. LDS chapel in Twin Falls. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Memorial Garden Cemetery in Caldwell, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home.