Blaine Wasden

Blaine Johnson Wasden
1924-2013

Blaine Johnson Wasden was born Aug 30, 1924 in Scipio UT in his parents’ house, a beautiful red brick gothic pioneer home, the 8th of 10 children. He helped his father on the farm and his mother in the house. He learned frugality from his family’s experiences during the Great Depression. He also learned from his parents the art of happiness and hard work.

During World War II Blaine served in the navy in the Pacific theater, as a radio operator. He saw action in the bloody battle of Iwo Jima and was on the first ship to dock at Japan after the armistice. He was stationed in Japan for quite a while and grew to love the gentle and kind Japanese people.

Blaine married the love of his life, Ina Ruth Christensen, in the Idaho Falls Temple on September 16, 1948. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary this September.

Graduating from BYU with a Masters in educational administration took Blaine and Ruth to San Diego for 1 year, and Santaquin UT for 3 years while they both taught in the elementary grades there. He was a principal/teacher at Lake Shore Elementary for 3 years. He was a principal at Madison Elementary for 18 years, then at Millcreek Elementary for 10 years, both in the Salt Lake area. He was a very conscientious administrator and always wore a suit to work.

Blaine served in the LDS Church in many different positions in the wards and stakes they resided in. He was a first tenor in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 21 years. While on a choir trip to Japan he became friends with some Japanese people and maintained a correspondence with them for years. He worked faithfully with Ruth in the Salt Lake Temple for 15 years. His health problems prevented a traditional senior mission, but his temple service became his senior mission.

His love of beauty and knowledge will always be remembered. He loved gardening and had prize roses, spring bulbs, irises, bushes and trees. He thoroughly enjoyed picnicking and hiking, passing this on to his children. Phi Kappa Delta at BYU honored him about 13 years ago for being a founding officer. He also was a member and founding member of other educational societies at BYU. He promoted art shows, flower shows, and music and dance programs when he was a principal.

Blaine always exemplified the best, most honorable traits of honesty, helpfulness, cooperation, dependability, and punctuality. He was always neat and meticulous in all areas of his life. He always was a friend to those in need of a friend.

Blaine died Friday May 17, 2013 at the Intermountain Medical Center (IMC) of natural causes incident to age. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth; his 3 children & their spouses: Jean Wasden Corey & Dave Corey (Sandy UT), Carol Wasden Sanchez & Andre Sanchez (Kearns UT), David Blaine Wasden & Kathy Wasden (Atlanta GA); 10 grandchildren & 14 great grandchildren; brother Bruce Wasden, sister Lorraine Wasden, and sister-in-law Valna Wasden.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, May 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 255 South 200 East, Salt Lake City. The funeral will be on Wednesday, May 22 at noon in the Haven Ward chapel, 2280 South 300 East, Salt Lake City. A family viewing will precede the funeral at the Haven Ward building from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com