Helen Snow Dutson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The angels in heaven were rejoicing, when one of their own, our angel mother, Helen Snow Dutson, returned to her Heavenly Home, Sunday, January 19, 2014, at the age of 85. Joining in their celebration was our father Jay, who most certainly swept her into his arms to waltz and polka among the stars. How he must have missed her these past 17 years! As the last living member of her family, her parents, seven brothers and sisters, and many other family members also joyfully welcomed her home. Helen was born in her beloved Provo, Utah, on October 10, 1928, to Ray E. and Emily Mable Singleton Snow, the youngest of eight. With the rest of her family she learned to work hard at an early age, developing the exceptional work ethic that served her well throughout her life. She attended Provo City schools, graduated from Provo High School and attended BYU for one year before meeting a handsome ex-GI, Melvin Jay Dutson, at a ward swimming party. He always said, “Helen was not only pretty, she was also a lot of fun…she wasn’t afraid to get her hair wet!” They were married October 20, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. Helen and Jay settled in the Edgemont area of Provo, Utah, and except for the winters in Quartzsite, Arizona, where she went for health reasons, she was grateful to live out her life in the home she loved. Whether in Utah or Arizona, Helen made deep and lasting friendships. She was a joker, pulling off many an April Fool’s joke on her unsuspecting family and friends. She loved holidays and made each memorable. She especially loved Halloween and Christmas. She dressed in costume even this past Halloween. She was so much fun! Most important to Helen was her family and her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She sought to follow the Savior’s example and was a true example of charity. She loved to serve and was serving a dear friend when she fell, breaking her hip. Due to years of poor health, her frail little body just couldn’t recover after surgery to repair it. Through all her health challenges, she endured with patience and dignity. We will ever be inspired by her example. Helen is survived by her four daughters, Judy (Leon) Mortenson, Janice (Doug) Foster, Jill Mendez, Jaylene (Steve) Rawlings, foster-daughter Frenely (Luis) Gordillo, 23 grandchildren and their mates, 31 great-grandchildren, with three on the way, and Frenely’s six children and five grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, friends Arriel Green, LaNette Robison, Fern Mercer and many others she dearly loved. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Jay, parents, brothers and sisters: Iona, Mellie, Algie, Ray “Bud”, Faye, Maxine and Bert; father and mother-in-law, Ben and Edna Dutson, brothers and sisters-in-law: Ila, Jean, James, Barbara and Merlin, a son-in-law Ron King, and two great-grandchildren, Jessica King and Jeremy Mortenson. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Edgemont 2nd Ward Chapel, 555 E. 3230 N., Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Sunday, January 26, from 6-8 p.m. and at the church Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment at East Lawn Memorial Hills, 4800 N. 650 E., Provo, Utah. Condolences may be sent online at www.bergmortuary.com.

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Helen Snow Dutson

October 10, 1928 - January 19, 2014