Our beautiful sister, mother, and grandmother, Jean Ruth McKenzie Harsh, passed away on October 7, 2023, in Murray Utah, while surrounded by her children and sister. She suffered complications from a heart attack.
Jean was born a twin on October 28, 1940, to Rodney Rae and Ruth Iola Racker McKenzie in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was raised in Salt Lake City and attended Granite High School where she met Jack, the love of her life. They were married on November 8, 1957, and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of six children.
Mom taught her children how to work, clean, and play together. Raising her family was her highest priority. She took pride in her home, and she was an excellent homemaker. She loved to decorate her home and care for her beautiful yard. She also loved animals and in particular her cats. They gave her great comfort over the years.
She served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as a mission with her husband, and as an Ordinance Worker in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple until her passing.
She is survived by her twin sister Joan Mulliner and sister-in-law Bonnie Harsh; children Debbie (Kelly) Peterson, Kolby (Sharlene) Harsh, Heidi (Mitch) Ricks, Keven (Valerie) Harsh, Hollie Bench and Landon (Jamie) Harsh; 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband Jack LeRoy Harsh and brothers-in-law Dell Roy Mulliner and Don Harsh.
A viewing will be held Thursday, October 12th, from 6:00 – 8:00 at Larkin Mortuary – Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South. Funeral services will be held at the Hamilton Ridge Ward, 5562 West 13680 South, Herriman at 11:00 on Friday, October 13th, preceded by a viewing from 10:00 – 10:45. Interment to follow at the Herriman City Cemetery.
I am so sorry for the lost of your mother. You were very blessed as a family to be raised by her. She will always be in my mind as a friend every day and every breathing moment. She impacted my life with love and friendship and understanding.
Love to her entire family
A friend always ,
Julie Weber
So sorry for your sadness nothing can replace a mother and it sounds like you had a good one. Miss you
Jean was a very wonderful and kind neighbor to us and many others on Rocky Point Drive. Jean will be missed along with her husband Jack. I had the good fortune to help her with a down stairs bathroom and we shared stories about her family and how much she loved them and was so proud of her children and grandchildren. Sherrie and I loved her and will miss her.
our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
with our love CJ & Sherrie Lawrence
So sorry your mom has left us. I love her so much! She was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed! What a beautiful tribute you have given her. My deepest symphony to all of you. So grateful we know she is with her sweetheart now and at peace.
I was so lucky to call her my friend. She changed my life and always showed me love and caring. I will miss our long talks about so many life experiences. Jean shared with me so many things and always stayed in touch with me over the years. I learned so many things from her. She's is an amazing woman and I will miss her so much. My condolences go to her family and pray that you will find comfort at this time.
I am so glad for out cousins parties where for 49 years we have spent one day a year together and we were just all together on the 22 of Sept. We never knew we would lose Jean so soon. As Jack's wife we loved her and were so glad she was in our family. She will surely be missed as Jack has. Sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral. My prayers have been with you. Love you all. Sibyl
As I think back upon my years growing up in the old Grant First Ward, so many memories include the wonderful Harsh family and their mom, Jean! She was a beautiful example as a Y.W. leader and I loved listening to the stories she shared. I am forever grateful for the good she brought into her own family and her ward family! Until we meet again...
We will truly miss Jean. Your mother was always so kind and good to us. When Tom and I were going to be married Jean wanted to have a bridal shower for us. It was lovely.
I had met your mom when she would come up to my mothers gift and craft shop
(Twila Dawns Originals) we would talk and talk. Your mom became my dear friend. After your mom and Dad moved to Herriman we still kept track of each other by Christmas cards, visits and phone calls. Your mother blessed my life by her sweet ways and kind words. I enjoyed hearing her talk about how much she loved her family her cats and her beautiful yard. Jean would talk about how much the Temple meant to her and the mission your parents served., All theses things gave her so much joy, but her crowning jewels were her husband, children and her testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Jean was a living testimony of all these things.
Jean was a joy to know and be around, Jean always told me she loved me and I will miss hearing that every time we talked. We are all better because we knew Jean.
I’m so sorry for the passing of your mother but thrilled she is now with your father Jack. May you find great comfort in the love they sweetly gave each of you.
With Love,
Heather and Tom Langston