Joyce "Elaine" Denison Patterson

Joyce Elaine Patterson, 88, was reunited with her sweetheart of 53 years on September 8, 2024, in Clifton, ID where she peacefully passed surrounded by many loved ones. She was born January 12, 1936, in Provo, UT, the daughter of Byron Leslie Denison and Inez Dixon. 

Elaine was raised as an only child by her grandparents and mother after losing her dad and three-year-old sister in a tragic house fire. Throughout her childhood she always wished she had brothers and sisters. Her grandmother always told her that she would be in charge of leaving the posterity for the family, and she did a wonderful job at that. Elaine attended elementary and high school in Provo, UT and very much enjoyed her youth often going fishing with her grandpa who she adored.

At age 16 she met and married Lamar Richard Laws in Las Vegas, NV on June 14, 1952. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they had six children, four girls and two boys. They divorced in 1969. Elaine met the love of her life, Milton Wilding Patterson, after being set up on a date by some friends in her ward. After a whirlwind romance they were married on Aug. 10, 1971, in Elko, NV. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple on Dec. 1, 1979. They lived in many places throughout their lives starting in Draper, UT, then to Torrey, UT and finally settling in Eureka, NV on their ranch for 21 years. After leaving Eureka they lived in Wales, UT; Spring Creek, NV; Tooele, UT; and for the last 3 1⁄2 years in Clifton, ID with their daughter. Milton passed away in December 2022 and Elaine continued to live in Clifton with their daughter.

Elaine was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the gospel with all her heart and exemplified the love of our Savior Jesus Christ in everything that she did. She held various callings such as Relief Society President, 2nd Counselor in the Primary, Relief Society teacher as well as many others. Of all the callings Elaine held, the one she most enjoyed was serving as temple worker with her sweetheart, Milton, in the Salt Lake Temple during some of the years they lived in Tooele. Elaine’s life was a life of service, she was a devoted ministering sister for many many years. 

As a child Elaine enjoyed babysitting and always dreamed of having 12 children. This dream was fulfilled when she married Milton and he brought his six children into the marriage, five girls and 1 boy. This large and loving family became a priority throughout the rest of her life. Elaine was an angel on earth and exemplified unconditional love throughout her life. She made sure every family member felt loved and special and each one “knew” they were the favorite, especially her grandchildren (which were many). Her beloved grandchildren all called her Granny, but her favorite title was “Granny Darlin”. During the many years at the ranch in Eureka she could be found doing many activities including gardening, pig farming, herding cattle, milking cows, and gathering eggs. Working together with Milton they literally turned a very small, dilapidated shack into a loving home. She also served on the Eureka County School Board, drove the school bus, and worked in the school lunchroom. Elaine loved and adored her entire family, spending quality time with them. She looked forward every year to the annual Patterson/Laws Family Reunion where family and friends would come from near and far to see their beloved “Granny and Gramps”. Some of the highlights of the reunion are the auctions where families bring items to be auctioned off and a quilt raffle where everyone sought after one of grannys handmade quilts. 

Elaine is survived by seven daughters and two sons, Barbara Perry of Toledo, WA; Jean (David) Henson of Richmond, UT; Marvin (Jill) Laws of Sandy, UT; Teresa (Dennis) Wood of Clifton, ID; Becky (Craig) Smith of Lewiston, UT; Carol (Reggy) Ellingsworth of Tooele, UT; Beaver (Lori) Laws of Spring Creek, NV; Linda (David) Stott of Spring Creek, NV; Nila (Bruce) Copen of Bonners Ferry, ID; by 89 grandchildren, 240 great grandchildren, and 58 great great grandchildren. 

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents; sister Bernice; son Milton Lynn (Donetta) Patterson; daughter Cynthia (Tony) Habinc; and daughter Donna Jane (Joe) Danielson, and a son-in-law Charles (Linda) Carroll, and a son-in-law Kenneth Boren. She was also preceded in death by a great granddaughter Shanna Yeates , great grandson, Damion Smith; grandson Joshua Boren, grandson-in-law Michael Jensen, granddaughter-in-law Kelly Boren and their children, Jaden and Hailey (Hailey Bug) Boren; granddaughter Emily (Tony) Scarpino; and two granddaughters-in-law Amber (Kade) Crouch and Shelly (Doug) Alvey. 

 The family would like to thank the staff at Franklin County Home Health and Hospice, nurses Val and Murial. A special thanks to Amanda who lovingly and competently cared for Milton prior to his death and continued caring for Elaine up until her death. In addition, the family would like to thank Dennis and Teresa Wood for opening up their home and caring for them for the last 3 ½ years.

 Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 12:00 pm at the Clifton 2nd Ward Chapel, 170 W. 100 N. Clifton, ID 83228. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00-11:30 am. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

Services will be streamed live and can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

 https://youtube.com/live/ARp2LAbiEzM?feature=share