Blaine Sorenson

It is in loving remembrance that the family of Blaine Larsen Sorenson announces his passing on September 26, 2023, from pancreatic cancer. He transitioned to his heavenly home surrounded by family at his residence in Highland, Utah.

Blaine was born on July 16, 1942, in Logan, Utah. He was the son of George Izatt Sorenson and Mabel Lucille Larsen. He was raised on a farm, where he developed a love for plants and gardening. He became known for his beautiful landscapes and care for his picture-perfect yards.

He attended Ellis Elementary School, Logan Jr. High, and Logan High School. Blaine earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in History and Education from Utah State University.

Blaine began his teaching career with the Weber County School District where he taught history at Roy High School. In 1969 he moved to Walnut Creek, California where he was a teacher and later an administrator in the Pleasanton Unified School District. He was a beloved teacher and had a great impact on the lives of many of his students. His motto was "Always be the guide on the side, never the sage on the stage." He was voted Most Popular Teacher for all 13 years that he taught at Dublin High School. He was also nominated by the local ASCA organization as Administrator of the Year.

While serving as a Regional Special Interest Representative for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he met his eternal companion Kay Darby and her 10-year-old daughter, Paula Lessing. They were married and sealed as a family in the Oakland, California Temple on February 16, 1979.

In 1998, upon retirement from the school system in California, Blaine and Kay returned to Cache Valley, Utah and lived in Providence. He returned to teaching for the Substitute Teaching Institute at Utah State University until his retirement in 2008. Here he presented workshops at national and state educator conferences on classroom management skills and teaching strategies. His work also included training administrators and substitute teachers on classroom management and preparedness. He received professional recognition for his work in this area.

Blaine was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had the opportunity to serve in many callings throughout the years. One of his favorite callings was working with young single adults as a High Counselor in the Utah State University 4th Stake in Logan, Utah.

Blaine's most cherished calling was his 24-year service as a temple worker. He was ordained to serve in the baptistry of the Logan Utah Temple in 1999. He served in that capacity until 2012, when he and his wife, Kay were called to be ordinance workers. They served together in the Logan Temple until 2015, when he and Kay moved to Highland, Utah. Blaine continued to serve as an ordinance worker in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple until January 2023.

Blaine was hardworking, loyal, and devoted as a husband, father, and grandfather. His family will always remember him for his sense of humor and ability to laugh at his own jokes. They will also cherish how actively invested he was in each of their lives. Blaine wouldn't want to go without reminding us all that, "The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient."

Blaine is survived by his wife Kay, daughter Paula [Garrin] Blair, grandchildren Aubree [Nicholas] Utrera , David "Neal" Edgel, Kayla Edgel, and Nathan [Corina] Edgel. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Mabel Sorenson, and sister Marilyn (Dean) Hurd.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 6th at 10:00 AM in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 41st Ward Chapel, located at 11300 North Highland Blvd in Highland, Utah. A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 5th from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Anderson & Sons Lone Peak building, 6141 West 11000 North Highland, Utah. There will also be a viewing prior to the services from 8:45-9:45 AM at the church. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah on Friday October 6th at 2:30 p.m.