Dorella Bott Harris

WELLSVILLE, UTAH: Our magnificent Matriarch Dorella Bott Harris 99, passed from this earthy existence on August 30, 2012 at the home of her daughter. Dorella was born August 7, 1913 in a log cabin in Providence, Utah. She was the oldest of eight children born to Mary Leonhardt and Henry Wilford Braeggar.
Dorella’s early years were spent in Providence where she learned the value of hard work. She attended Providence Elementary School and South Cache High School.
She married LaMar Nephi Bott on October 16, 1936. They were blessed with five children; 3 daughters and 2 sons. Lamar was called to serve in World War II. After returning home paralyzed, Dorella cared for him until his passing in 1950. She was left with 5 young children to raise.
To support her young family Dorella often worked 2 jobs. She started out doing housekeeping and child care, later working for Utah State University cafeteria where she became the pastry cook. This is where she acquired her famous pie making skills. She worked as the assistant cook for Millville School and later as the Deputy recorder for Cache County. Dorella’s children were always her first priority and she never passed up the opportunity to teach them the value of hard work and to love and care for each other.
Dorella was a devoted and caring person. She cared for her mother and father in their later years and unselfishly cared for her brother Clyde and his wife Pat until their deaths.
On May 8, 1979 Dorella married her sweetheart, Newman Harris after dating for 28 years. He was diagnosed with cancer and passed away after they were married only 1 short year.
Dorella was an active member of the LDS church truly living the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a stalwart example of Christ like love to her family. She served in many capacities but her favorite was working with the primary children. She also dearly loved working in the Logan temple as an officiator and organist.
She was an excellent cook. She shared thousands of pies, hot rolls and warm loaves of bread with friends and neighbors who needed some special cheer.
Dorella had a deep love of music. She sang in a trio and also played the drums in her brothers dance band. Learning to crochet in her later years she made a special afghan for each one of her grandchildren.
When Dorella turned 90 years old she sold her home in Millville and moved to Williamsburg retirement community. She made many wonderful friends there.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers; Delmar, Raymond, Morgan and Clyde; her sister Saloma, daughter, Jeannine McGlaughlin and a great grandson Carson Riggs. She is survived by her children; Lynn (Carolyn) Bott, Dillon MT, Jimmie (Lorin) Leishman, Wellsville UT, Randy (Vickie) Bott, Orem UT and Marie (Val Dean) Riggs, Baton Rouge LA. She is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 69 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
Dorella will be remembered for many things; her smiling face, busy hands, loving heart, strong faith and her indomitable spirit to carry on.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Steven Salisbury, Louise Tobey PA-C and CNS Hospice for their loving care of Dorella. A special thanks to her daughter and son-in-law Jimmie & Lorin for taking her into their home and providing her care over the last 18 month, to her granddaughter Marcie for her never ending care and to her great granddaughters Cienna and Rachel for “grandma sitting” each Saturday night.
A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:40 AM Wednesday Sept 5 prior to the funeral service at 11:00, Allen-Hall Mortuary.
Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaires.net