On August 7, 1947, a beautiful baby was born to Arlene Atkinson and Melvin Jones Price at Malad, Idaho.
The first of six children, Ilene loved riding on her daddy’s tractor and on her horse, Lightning. She attended Malad Junior High. Her father died when she was 10 and her family moved to Layton, Utah. Ilene graduated from David High School and LDS Seminary in 1965. She marched in the band, played the clarinet and kept herself hip with the latest hairstyles and fashions. She graduated from Painters Beauty College in 1966 and was a licensed cosmetologist.
Ilene married Ernest Stephen Blankenship on June 14, 1968 in the Logan LDS temple. They bought a house in Wellsville, Utah and raised four crazy kids. Later, she helped care for four grandkids as a patient, loving grandmother.
Ilene excelled at everything she put her mind to, including nursing school. She graduated in 2000 with good marks from Bridgerland Applied Technology College as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was guided by a gifted compassion and dedication to serving others. She took several career paths, but found her passion at Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation. She served the residents and employees for 18 years in a variety of roles, as cosmetologist, CNA, supervisor and LPN. She received many awards for her service, including Employee of the Year award, but her greatest rewards were the strong friendship cultivated there.
Ilene passed away June 8, 2010 due to a stroke. She is survived by her husband, Ernest Stephen and daughter-in-law Crystal; three daughters, Heidi Elizabeth; Wendy Estelle and Becky Anna and four grandchildren; Joshua, Shyanne, Shelby and Dannika. She is also survived by her mother, Arlene and five siblings; Ferril (Ann), Jim (Carol), Melva (Bill), Cindy and Tom. Her father, Melvin preceded her in death.
Our mother was a treasure. We will dearly miss that mischievous sparkle in her eyes, her gorgeous smile, her deep sense of faith and compassion, her wit and advice and wonderful sense of humor.
A viewing will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6-8 p.m., at the Allen-Hall Mortuary 84 E. Center in Logan, Utah. Funeral services will also be held there on June 12, 2010 from 11: a.m. to noon, with viewing from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. at the Malad City Cemetery in Malad, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Hall Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net.