Marlene M. Harris
1937 – 2024
If you are reading this, then you know I have graduated from this mortal life. I am now in my last and greatest chapter. I took that step into eternity on August 26, 2024, in Provo, Utah.
My life began as Marlene Belle Murphy, on Sunday, May 23, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am the first born and only daughter of Leo Curtis and Lorna Belle Rasmussen Murphy, with three brothers, Sheridon, Donnel and Bud. We had a very happy childhood growing up in rural Salina, Utah. When I married my childhood sweetheart, David Arnold Deaton in the Manti LDS Temple on July 16, 1954, I became the wife of a paratrooper. We moved around with his assignments, enjoying the travel and people we met along the way. It was always special to join the small LDS Branches where the Saints are so strong. Our first daughter was born in Kentucky, a son and daughter were born in Germany, then two more sons back in Kentucky and finally a daughter in North Carolina. After retirement, we moved to Richfield, Utah, to make our home. We enjoyed many activities with our children, camping, fishing, hunting, sightseeing, and snowmobiling. We bought a cabin up Salina Canyon, where we enjoyed gathering with family and friends. Then suddenly, David became ill, and he was taken from us at the age of 56 on September 25, 1991.
Later, I was privileged to marry another great man, Norman L. Harris, April 18, 1992, in Richfield, Utah. He was divorced, has six children and grandchildren, also. He lovingly took over the responsibility of Patriarch of our combined families. After his retirement, we traveled the United Sates and many foreign countries, going by ship, plane, bus and car. Norm passed away May 30, 2019.
Now I finished the course and kept the faith. I enjoyed the journey. And like George Bailey felt in the end of the classic movie “It’s a Wonder life”.
I am a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, privileged to work in all the organizations at one time or another; my mission call was to the “Family History Center” in St. George, Utah. My great joy was genealogy and writing stories of our ancestors; making their lives come alive for us. I am a proud 40-year member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. I loved attending BYU Education Week.
Sadly, I leave my greatest treasures, my beloved children, whom I will miss watching them grow and prosper in life. I am so proud of them: Libby and Allen Mason, Teresa and Gary Mason, Gayle and Kelly Crofts, Kerby Deaton, all of Aurora; David and Marla Deaton of Spring City, and Kenny Deaton of Salina; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I will miss all the sweet Harris children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well, whom I love very much, and they have loved me also. I thank them for accepting me into their Dad’s life. I will miss my brother, Donnel and his wife, Jeanette.
I am preceded in death by both my parents, Leo and Lorna Murphy, two brothers, Sheridon and Janard Bud Murphy, both my husband, David Deaton and Norman Harris and six grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity, or to mine, which is the LDS Humanitarian Program or the Huntsman Cancer Center.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the Aurora 1st LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 prior to the services.
Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Marlene’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.
Burial will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com
