Donna Harmer 1926 ~ 2018 Donna Norton Harmer left this world on October 1st, 2018 while a resident at the caring and loving community of Chancellor Gardens in Clearfield, Utah. From her birth on November 10, 1926 to her death she was a of strength, fun, faith and leadership to everyone around her. She was born in Salt Lake City to John Riley and Romola Bunker Norton and spent her youth in Springville, Panguitch, Circleville and Delta.
She had three brothers: Guy, Merlin, and Ken, and one sister: Colleen. Her cherished memories of growing up with these choice siblings and in that interesting time were an important part of the great stories she told all of her life. She knew her husband, Burton A. Harmer, from childhood.
Their relationship blossomed during The War and they were married August 8, 1945 in El Paso, TX then sealed in Salt Lake City later that year on October 10th. Donna and Burt had 52 years together until his passing in 1997. They spent most of their lives together in Clearfield.
She gave birth to 4 children; Dean (Jo-Ann) of Nampa, ID; Elaine Johansen of Lake Oswego, Oregon; John (Linda) of Palmyra, NY; and Beckie (Lee) Ernstrom of Syracuse, UT. Her time raising children happened when motherhood was openly considered the most noble calling on earth and she gave everything to that endeavor. At a young age she took her small family to France for a couple of years so she could teach her children to be independent thinkers and to see the world as part of their community.
She had 13 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. All will remember her as a of unqualified love . .
. and great food. Donna was an active believer in the political process.
For most of her adult life she served as a judge of elections and in 1968 she ran for a seat on the state legislature. Her political contacts opened an invitation for her to serve as the only non-physician on the Utah Governor’s Health Council. In that capacity she was a driving force in creating the Davis North Medical Center .
. . and the freeway exit that allows access to that hospital.
Her spirit of entrepreneurship was evident throughout her life: She and her husband owned a small diner, “The Barrel”, in Clearfield for a while; At one point she and a friend invented a system to put lights inside plastic flowers and began a company to manufacture and sell them; She opened up a small gift shop called “The Basket Shack” in Sunset, UT and worked very hard to see it expand from a roadside stand to become a fun place for craft hobbyists and home decorators. She was an enthusiastic and ardent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served as a Relief Society President, Bishop’s Wife, Sunday School Teacher and Young Women’s Advisor but her great and enduring love was in missionary work.
It thrilled her to tell the story of the gospel and she found people from all walks of life who were willing to listen right up to the last days of her life. In 1988 she and Burt went on a mission for the LDS church to Nauvoo, IL. It proved to be a great showcase for her talents as a speaker and entertainer as well as an educator on the life and times of that period of church history.
She has always been a force of nature when in possession of two pieces of cloth and a sewing machine. Her quilts, knitting projects, and table runners are an important part of her legacy. Teaching daughters, granddaughters and friends to sew and quilt has been an underlying passion her whole life.
The friendships she made as a neighbor, traveler, missionary and quilter were knitted together with a bond that made each person know that they were treasured. The family is grateful beyond words for the kindness and service of her last community at Chancellor Gardens. Under their tender care she was allowed to bloom one more time before finally leaving us.
The nice people at Comfort Worx Hospice were an absolute gift from heaven as they worked so tirelessly to keep us and her informed, prepared and comforted through the process of her leaving. What a joy it is to know that such good people are in the same world as us. Please join us for the celebration of a life well and fully lived.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Clearfield Stake Center 935 S. State Street, Clearfield, Utah. Friends may visit with family Monday, October 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
