Frank Ernest Patten

Frank Ernest Patten passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 2, 2010. He was two weeks away from his 99th birthday. He was living in St. George, Utah at the time of his death but had lived in Springville, UT. for the past 60 years. Frank was born on December 16, 1911 in Spanish Fork, Utah to Alva and Lettie Mae Brown Patten.



Frank spent his childhood in Spanish Fork, Mosida (on the west shore of Utah Lake) and Elberta, UT. The family had no electricity and no indoor plumbing. He was a hard worker and always helped on the family farm. As a child, it was his job to feed the pigs and chickens, chop kindling and help in the garden. As he got older, he helped harvest the hay and grain which was all done by hand. Frank lived through the great depression and learned many of life's lessons because of that opportunity. He knew what it was like to be without money, food, work, extra clothing but never complained.



He was a veteran of World War 2 where he served in the United Stated Army as a typist and Quartermaster in the Ninth Service Command at Ft. Douglas, UT. He also served in the Ship Complement Core at Ft. Lawton in Seattle, WA.



Frank began his post high school education at the Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah. He graduated from the Brigham Young Academy in Education Administration. He later continued his education at B.Y.U. and received a Master of Education degree. He taught school for a few years in Ft. Duchesne and Parowan and then spent the rest of his time as an administrator/ principal in the Nebo School District in Springville, Utah. Frank was the principal at Westside Elementary and Springville Middle School. He was a gifted educator/administrator who loved those he worked with.



Frank married Hildreth Alene Benson of Parowan, Utah on November 26, 1943, in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple. The couple lived in Parowan for 2 years and then moved to Springville, Utah where they spent the rest of their lives together.



Frank was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his three children: Peggy (John) Ricks of St. George, UT., Dennis B. Patten of St. George, (Terry and Duane Rees of St. George, UT.), and Richard (Julie) Patten of La Cresenta, CA. Frank and Hildreth also had two foster children live with them, Modesta Tashenbully and McArthur Halona. He has 15 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. He always enjoyed visits from his family and especially from the great grandchildren. He would play with them and share his remarkable sense of humor. He always shared what he had with others, his home, his love, his means and all he had.



Frank was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in many callings but particularly loved the opportunity to teach the gospel. He was a dedicated student of the gospel and read many books to increase his knowledge. Both Frank and Hildreth served as temple ordinances workers in the Provo Temple.



Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 11 at 11:00am in the Hobble Creek 1st ward building located at 555 South 600 East (Averett Ave), Springville, Utah. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, Dec. 10 from 6:30 to 7:30pm at the Wheeler Mortuary 211 East 300 South, Springville, Utah. Friends of the Patten family will also be received 1 hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, UT.