Patricia (Patty) Jean (Halstead) Van Houten

Patricia (Patty) Jean Van Houten, 79, returned to her heavenly home on October 2, 2019. She was born on October 26, 1939, in Barstow, California to Milton and Ethel Halstead. She married Stephen Oliver Van Houten on March 8, 1957. They were later sealed in the St. George Utah Temple.

Patty grew up in the desert area of Barstow, California. She enjoyed visiting her grandparents ranch in Hinkley, California. As a teenager, she met the love of her life, Steve. They soon married and Steve was drafted into the Army for a short time. They quickly started their family and raised their boys in the San Bernardino and the Cherry Valley areas of California. Over the course of these years, Patty owned and distributed livestock feed, owned and operated a preschool, and was co-owner of an antique shop. When the boys were in their teenage years, Steve and Patty moved to Central, Utah. They loved living off the land, hunting, fishing and tending their beautiful garden. After twenty years they moved to Enterprise, Utah. They purchased the old Snow's Theater and made it their home.

Patty was a devout Christian, a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a paradigm of charity and serving others. She was passionate and actively engaged in family research and genealogy; both Patty and her sister, Kerry Knowles, dedicated countless hours to genealogical work and blessed the lives of many individuals while working in the Lord’s vineyard. When her sister, Kerry, passed all too soon, Patty and Steve raised their nephews, Jason and Shawn.

While living in Enterprise, UT, she organized, participated, and managed a humanitarian center in her own home, which by the donated selfless labor of community members, produced humanitarian kits, blankets, and dolls for relief efforts in various countries. She donated frequently to several charitable foundations to purchase farm animals for impoverished communities across the globe. In 2015, Patty and Steve moved to Mesquite, Nevada to be closer to family and enjoy the warmer climate.

Patty was an avid gardener, canning guru, talented artist, lifelong student of learning; she enjoyed music, arts, crafts, dancing with her granddaughters, reading, cooking, camping, laughing, puzzles and games, and watching murder mystery shows. Patty’s family was central to her joy in life. While her love and maternal pride for her sons were evident, her kindness, altruistic nature, joy, and love were exponentially manifested for and towards her grandchildren; they were the world to her. The myriad of “Grandma Pat Pat’s” handcrafted soft and fuzzy blankets can certainly attest to her grandmotherly love.

Patty is survived by her husband Stephen Oliver and sons; Ricky Jay (Stephanie) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Michael Blake (Robyn) of Mesquite, Nevada; Brian Keith of St. George, Utah; and Vincent Duane (Heather) of Safford, Arizona; 14 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Mickey Halstead; three nephews, one niece. She was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Eugene; her parents, Milton and Ethel Halstead; her sister, Kerry Knowles, her cousin, Sonny Sandoz; Granny Grace and Aunt Peggy.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. PST at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center at 100 N. Arrowhead Ln, Mesquite, Nevada, with Viewing Services held prior from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.