Lorene Burton Blackham

Lorene Burton Blackham (86) endured through the end, dying of natural causes on June 15, 2014. Born to George Ransom Burton and Maud Smith Burton on April 13, 1928, in Holbrook, Idaho, she had a life full of love, learning, teaching, and service. Lorene graduated from Brigham Young University, where she met her husband, VerNon. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on September 1, 1950. VerNon and Lorene welcomed six children to their family: Nanette (Keith) Bame of Las Vegas, Nevada; David (Lori) Blackham of Santa Rosa, California; Melissa (Ron) Hilton of Holladay, Utah; Paul Blackham (Doris) of Sandy, Utah; Miriam (Kim) Een of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Lara (Mark) Van Gundy of Chester, Virginia. Their posterity currently includes 33 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Lorene was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, having served in the Primary and Relief Society auxiliaries. With her husband, VerNon, and daughter Lara, she served a full-time mission to Tarawa, Kiribati (Gilbert Islands). When she encountered health challenges, Lorene and VerNon were reassigned to BYU-Hawaii, where Lorene worked in the archive library, and VerNon taught in the Math and Religion departments. Their entire mission encompassed 4 1/2 years, during which time they grew to love the Polynesian people and their culture. Upon their return from Hawaii, Lorene and VerNon began their service in the Salt Lake Temple as ordinance workers. She continued that service for several years after the death of her husband. Lorene was also a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, VerNon "T" Blackham, and her brother George LeR Burton. Survivors include her sister, Miriam Tate of Malad, Idaho, Sheril D. Burton, and Ralph S. Burton of Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also survived by all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who have truly been blessed by her faith, devotion, and love for her family.

Friends may call on Sunday, June 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 East, in Salt Lake City. Services will be held Monday, June 23 at 11:30 AM at the Olympus 2nd Ward LDS chapel, 3070 Nila Way (4140 S.), in Salt Lake City. Prior to the services, friends may also call at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund online at www.ldsphilanthropies.org Messages to the family can be posted at www.HolbrookMortuary.com