Mark Lallatin Heyrend

Mark Lallatin Heyrend, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend, passed peacefully from this earth on Monday, January 10, 2022, at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 103 1/2 years old.

Mark was born on June 18 of 1918 in Salt Lake City to parents Daniel and Johanna Heyrend. He was the youngest of five children. His siblings are listed oldest to youngest: Daniel Heyrend, Lorene Sparks, Alice Rose, and Florence Emery.

Mark had a great wit about him and was a lifelong jokester who was always ready with a good joke or story to tell. A story from his younger slightly mischievous days includes when he and his friend were fascinated with the old Trolley Cars in downtown Salt Lake. When the cars would stop, they would run to the car and quickly detach the hook from its over-hanging electrical lines just to watch the attendant come out and reattach it. Once the man would go back in, they would run up and detach it again.

Mark also loved music. He played the clarinet with the Salt Lake Community Band and would perform all over Salt Lake and even at the famed Saltair Resort. He was a drummer at heart and was always tapping out rhythms on tables and things.

Mark graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City Class of 1935. He attended Stevens Henninger Business College for two years where he served as Student Body President and graduated with a degree in Business. He excelled at shorthand and speed typing which served him well through the military and into his professional life.

After he graduated college, Union Pacific Railroad hired Mark on as a stenographer. Soon after he heard of the tragedy at Pearl Harbor, he felt the call of duty to his country and signed up for the draft. When the Army learned of Mark’s valuable stenographer skills, they plucked him out of boot camp before finishing and assigned him to office headquarters. Mark was honored to serve under the great General Patton as an aide during WWll from May 18, 1942, to July 4, 1945. He experienced 4 D-days by Patton’s side. Mark had an admiration for Patton that held close with him for the rest of his life. He reached the rank of Master Sergeant during the duration of his service. He exemplified bravery, valor, professionalism, and selfless service while earning a bronze star. Patton wrote a personal letter to Mark praising these very traits.

After returning stateside, Union Pacific Railroad hired Mark back on as an office clerk. Over the next three years, he met a beautiful girl named Donna Saville. Donna worked at Keeley’s Ice Cream parlor at the time with Mark’s sister Lorene. One day he came in to see his sister and happened to meet Donna. Their first date took place at the popular Rainbow Randevu Ballroom where dancing became a big part of their courtship and eventual marriage. They were considered accomplished ballroom dancers who performed in various places and continued dancing well into their 90's. It didn’t take them long to fall in love. They were eventually married on May 28, 1948, and then sealed for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in 1949. They were together for 73 years in this life, but their union will continue into the eternities.

Mark remained at Union Pacific for the remainder of his working life until he retired in June of 1992 after a total of 53 years. During those years, he and Donna had three children, his son David Mark Heyrend and his daughters Catherine Heyrend Elliott and Barbara Ann Heyrend Sosa. His children were the light of his life and his pride and joy.

Though life presented him with many ups and downs, including the passing of his parents and all his siblings, through it all, he was always a strong and faithful priesthood leader in his home. The Lord gave him time to watch his loving family grow with the blessing of his long life. That sweet love grew as his family kept growing, with the addition of ten grandchildren listed from oldest to youngest: Christopher Heyrend, Erin Heyrend McGarvey, Jaimee Marie Elliott Fife, Michael Ray Elliott, Eduardo Sosa, Alex Sosa, Mark Robert Elliott, Tamra Sosa, Nate Sosa, and Laycee Elliott Mozingo. Those grandchildren continued to grow and had their own children, giving Mark ten great-grandchildren by the end of his life; they are listed from oldest to youngest: Jordan Heyrend, Kendall Heyrend, Jacob Sosa, Erica Sosa Freeland, Donna Sosa, Peightyn Sosa, Evelyn Ruth Elliott, Cruz Sosa, Wesley Ray Elliott, and Callum Grey Elliott.

After Mark retired, he was fondly remembered for his morning exercises, Sunday dinners around the table, passing you the bear and the bull while playing PIT, and his big repertoire of jokes. When he prayed, he poured his heart out to the Lord, even when it was just for dinner. One special Thanksgiving Dinner, his prayer lasted a record length of fifteen minutes, and a little six-year-old Mark Elliot could bear no longer and exclaimed, “Is he done yet? I am so hungry!”.

Mark touched countless lives with his laughter, love, and never-ending service throughout his remarkable life. When you were with Mark and Donna, they made you feel like you were one of the most important people in the world to them. If you knew Mark, your heart would become tied to him in some unexplainable way. His jokes, service, and love will forever be cherished by those that knew him.

The only thing sweeter than union is reunion. Goodbye Mark. Until we meet again, we love you!

Mark was preceded in death by all of his immediate family and two still-born sons, Douglas and Scott; they get their turn with their father now. He is survived by his wife, all his children and grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Brandon and Tammy of Solstice Healthcare for their tender care.

All services will be held in the LDS Skyview Ward Church at 1361 East 4000 South, Millcreek, UT. A viewing will take place on Friday January 21 from 6-8pm and again on Saturday January 22 from 10:30-11:30am. The funeral will be at 12:00 noon. It Is under the direction of the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. A virtual service will be available at http://skyview.my-church.link/markheyrend