Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Janice Losser Patten

On January 9th, 2020, Janice Losser Patten left this earthly life to return home to her Heavenly Father and family eagerly waiting for her on the other side. Janice was 83 at the time of her passing. 

Janice was born April 13th, 1936, in Santaquin, Utah, to Lamar and Arzley (Peterson) Losser.  During her elementary years her family moved around quite a bit. She lived in Washington, California and Utah. They eventually moved to Payson, Utah where her father owned and operated Westside Market.  Janice enjoyed working and helping her parents with this. 

Janice met the love of her life Duane on a blind date. Janice and Duane were married on April 15th, 1953. There marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple on December 9th, 1954. Together they raised six children.

Janice was able to spend the majority of her time being a homemaker while raising the children.  However, she also drove a school bus, was a book keeper, worked for Del Monte in the summer and even worked in the cherries.  When most of the children were raised Janice worked at Doug’s Auto Supply, Payson City, and as a lunch lady. She enjoyed doing respite work with special needs children. She worked with one particular girl, Christina for several years and developed a special bond with her and her family. 

Janice and Duane enjoyed traveling and enjoyed many fun filled vacations with family and friends. Janice and Duane enjoyed dancing and would go to the Golden Green Ball. On Saturdays Duane used to take Janice out to dinner so she could have a break from cooking. They also enjoyed going to the movies and would go on Tuesday nights. Janice was a wonderful cook and enjoyed gardening. At the time of Duane’s passing they had enjoyed 53 years of marriage.  

Janice was a member of the Cultus Club and Lady Fireman and has made long-lasting friendships there.  Janice has a group of friends that get together monthly to eat, play games and enjoy each others’ company. 

Janice was continuously serving others, whether it was her own family, friends; even strangers.  She was kind, caring, considerate and always looking out for others’ well-being. She was known to feed the homeless and give her last dollar away if someone needed it. Janice’s selflessness and compassion will be missed by all.

Janice was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held various callings on a stake and ward level from Relief Society President, to Young Women President, Primary, Achievement Day Leader, Temple worker and teaching temple classes.  Janice was also a very diligent and faithful visiting teacher. She enjoyed going to Humanitarian and working on projects. 

Janice was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) at the age of 82 and remained positive, strong and courageous.

Janice is survived by her children and their spouses; Christine (Ray) Sorensen of Lake Shore; Susan (Brent) Shurtliff of Santaquin; Alecia (Larry Mecham) Patten of Genola; Mark Patten of Payson; Jennifer (Brad) Montague of Payson and Elizabeth (Cory) VanAusdal of Santaquin. She is also survived by a brother, Neil Losser. 

Janice leaves behind fifteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; several loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Janice was preceded in death by her loving husband, Duane; her parents; a brother Lynn Dean; three sister-in-laws; Marie Buys, Katherine Patten and Glenna Losser, two brother-in-laws Don Patten and Kenneth Patten, and a granddaughter, Erica. 

The family would like to thank those who lovingly cared for their mom; her friends as well as the nurses, doctors and staff at Mountain View Hospital.

A viewing will be held in Janice’s honor on Thursday, January 16th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Payson 2nd/3rd Ward Church Building 274 South Main Street, in Payson, Utah. A Funeral will be held at the same location on Friday, January 17th at 1:00 p.m. with a viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Walker Funeral Home, Payson, Utah. Condolences may be sent to www.walkermemorials.com