Ronda Lynn Harrison
January 19, 1936 - September 24, 2023
Ronda Harrison was born to Irene McDermott and Ronald Johnson in Pocatello, Idaho. She passed away on September 24, 2023, at the age of 87 after battling multiple health issues.
Ronda met and married her sweet husband, Rex Harrison, in Pocatello, Idaho, and in 1963, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, with their two daughters Linda and Janel.
Building a life based on unconditional love for her family, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She dearly loved Rex, and they were always able to make each other laugh. She adored her daughters and grandchildren, sharing in activities and frequent conversations about their lives and viewpoints. She especially nurtured a strong family bond with her grandmother, each member of her sister Joan’s family and Rex’s mother, sharing many holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving and Christmas were magical extravaganzas filled with beautiful decorations and favorite family recipes including her bottled jams and chokecherry syrup.
Ronda was introspective and an artist at her core. She was always industrious, creating art while still working and raising two girls. She expressed her deep appreciation of beauty through watercolor, acrylics, pen and ink, pencils, pastels, and oils. Always enjoying a new challenge, she sculpted with clay, chiseled wood, painted porcelain, and tried her hand at pottery. She sewed, quilted, and stitched intricate pieces of cross-stitch, embroidery, and crochet. Ronda paid attention to detail and aimed for perfection.
Ronda gave strength to all who knew and loved her. With family and dear friends, she shared her love easily and deeply through conversations filled with listening, advice, and laughter. She was quick witted and could easily cut to the point while also having the patience to tell a great story. She loved being outdoors, and golf became a frequent family activity; she played a strong game in league competitions.
She especially enjoyed classical music, loved learning and appreciated great literature. Ronda was always reading and recommending another book or article. Trees were a special love in her life, and she enjoyed drawing, studying and growing them. She created a beautiful yard at home as well as the gardens at Zion Lutheran Church where she was a long-time member.
Ronda was a trailblazer for women, breaking into management roles at a time when women were not encouraged to be leaders. During her work life, she was a dedicated employee of Continental Bank, Sperry Univac, Unisys and L3 Harris.
Her love for life, family, friends, and beauty will far surpass her days on this earth, and her life will always be a blessing to those who knew and loved her.
Our family would like to express deep appreciation to Tamara from Quality Home Health and Hospice and to Spring Gardens Holladay Memory Care for their kind and loving care.
Her memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 1:00 pm.
Ronda was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Hartvigsen; father, Ronald Johnson; husband, Rex Harrison; and sister, Joan Bond. She is survived by her sister, Sharon Benavidez; daughters, Linda Crumley (Randy) and Janel Trapp (Mikel); six grandchildren, Jenny, Sarah, Ben, Olivia, Gwen, and Ryan; and two great grandchildren, Hadley and Nicholas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to First Step House (firststephouse.org), Habitat for Humanity (habitatsaltlake.com) or Family Promise (814 W 800 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84104).
In Loving Memory
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