Marvin John Blanken

Marvin John Blanken was born in Cisco, Texas on November 13, 1926, and returned to his Lord on February 23, 2022, in Farmington, Utah of natural causes. He knew he was going home to his Lord that day.      

He was a simple, grateful, joyous man and he knew that true joy came from acknowledging his sins and putting his trust in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. When asked what he wanted in his obituary, he simply said: “Marvin died, and God gave him a great life. It’s as simple as that”.  

He was raised in the greater Shawnee, Oklahoma area. In 1944, he joined the Army Air Corp intending to become a pilot. WW2 ended and he was released without ever learning how to fly. Although he was grateful to never to go into harm’s way, he would have loved to learn to fly. He returned to Oklahoma where he earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees in teaching. He began his teaching career in Oklahoma, but later moved to Utah where he taught at Davis High School for almost 40-years. 

He met Earlene Vickery, the love of his life, at Prairie Valley School in Oklahoma while he was the principal, and she was a teacher. After a long courtship, they married on July 11, 1958.  It was a much-celebrated union by both families, Marvin and Earlene loved to travel and make semi-annual trips back to Oklahoma to visit their families.

He enjoyed going to Lake Powell, fishing, playing the stock market, puttering around the yard, his garden and propagating roses. He loved to sing and whistle and had a quick sense of humor. Marvin and Earlene volunteered for Meals on Wheels and supported many different food banks. He kept mom steady, even during tough times, and, with a quiet, simple faith, loved his Lord. He was a grateful, polite, kind man. 

He leaves behind son, Mark Blanken (Salt Lake City, Utah), Karin Blanken (Mallorca, Spain); daughter-in-law Michelle Blanken-Verrier (Roy, Utah); and daughter, Kathryn Lisby, and her husband Dale (Kaysville, Utah). Also feeling his loss are his grandkids Christine (David), Ryan (Anna Karina), Danielle, Sarah, Matthew, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and church family. 

His son, Gary Earl Blanken paved the way to heaven in 1994. Marvin is reunited with the love of his life, Earlene, who went to heaven on January 9, 2018. He is also reunited with his parents, siblings, and other loved ones. The Blanken kids are sitting in heaven frying catfish and playing dominoes.  

Thank you to the loving and caring staff at Legacy House at Parklane – especially Monica, D’Lynn, Ashley, Christina, Stacie, Barry, Kyle, and the med techs and aides who cared for him in the Cottage - especially Kaja, Chezli, and Hailey. This team will always hold a special place in Marvin’s family’s hearts. You all cared for him as your own during the pandemic and made him feel safe and not alone.  All we can say is “Hickoryyyyy!”  Thank you also to Donette and team from Inspiration Home Health, Todd Gardner, Jenn Griswold and team, and all others who continually prayed for our family.

A family visitation will be held Friday,  March 18, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3329 Harrison Blvd, Ogden, Utah. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist Mortuary, Layton, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food bank, volunteer for your local Meals on Wheels or donate to Habitat to Humanity. 

See you later, Alligator! 

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