Erlene Sorensen Blackburn passed away in Kanab Utah on January 20, 2018 surrounded by her family. Erlene was born on January 23, 1921 in Mt. Carmel Utah to Earl John and Effie Jane (Lamoreaux) Sorensen. She married Ralph Laddie Blackburn on June 18, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, and were sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George temple on their 16th anniversary.

She and Laddie raised their family in Torrance California. In 1973 they moved to Malibu, California. After their retirement in 1983 they moved to Huntington Beach, California, then after Laddie passed away in 2005, Erlene moved to Orderville, Utah to be close to family. In 2016 Erlene moved into the Beehive Home in Kanab, Utah where she was surrounded by loving and caring friends and staff who made sure she was served toast and hot chocolate every morning.

Erlene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her bothers Earl (Coleen) and DeMoin (Lucy) Sorensen, her grandson Brian Harris, and three great grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers LaDru (LaRue) and Dale (Margaret) Sorensen, her children, Bonnie (Bruce) Harris, Jo Ann (Brad) Grant, Mary (Bob) Alcorn, Ron (Michele) Blackburn, 20 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren.

During her life she engaged in various endeavors. In her younger days she was an “Old Maid” at Hattie’s Inn in Orderville. In the 40’s she moved to Los Angeles where she worked at a cafeteria, during which time she was reunited with the love of her life, Laddie, who had moved to Long Beach. During the war she worked at Hughes Aircraft and became known as “Rosy the Riveter”. After they bought their home in Torrance California she babysat many of the children in the neighborhood, often for no charge. Later she and Laddie worked as the live-in care takers at the J. Paul Getty estate in Malibu.

Erlene loved to bake bread and chocolate chip cookies. Although not her 1st choice, she “endured” many days camping with her family. Whenever she had company she would always make sure they were well fed and made comfortable. Even to her final days she was always concerned about caring for her guests.

We wish a special thank you to all the staff at the Beehive Home, Encompass Hospice, and Mosdell Mortuary who provided loving care and support during her final days.

Funeral services will be conducted by her grandson on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 am in the Orderville Utah LDS Church. Friends and family are invited to attend the viewing at the Church from 9:30-10:45 am. Internment at the Orderville Cemetery will follow the services. Arrangements were made with Mosdell Mortuary.