Vola Allen Harris

Vola Allen Harris, age 93, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2009 at Logan Regional Hospital, surrounded by members of her immediate family.

Vola was born on March 22, 1916, in Kingston, Piute County, Utah, the fifth of nine children of Rufus Albern and Helena Christensen Allen. She married Lorin E. Harris on September 9, 1937 in the Manti LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1992. They were the loving parents of four children: The late Richard W. Harris (Ruth); Paul A. Harris (Janet); Lorraine H. Randle (Paul); and Julie Anna Bullen (Jonathan). She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and two sisters, Norda Millet and Karen Harris, both of Kingston.

Vola studied clothing and textile design and construction at Utah State University, and used those skills to design and make her own wedding dress, wedding dresses for her two daughters, countless prom dresses, and hundreds of items of clothing for family members, as well as upholstery and draperies for her home. She was an untiring worker who single-handedly designed, furnished and decorated the interior of her home, took great pride in producing nutritious and attractive meals, maintained a large and attractive yard, gardens and orchard, and loved to entertain family and friends. Even in the last months of her life she not only continued to live in and maintain her home of many years, but hosted Sunday dinners for children and grandchildren on a weekly basis. Among her last instructions to family members were when and where to place annual bedding plants in her gardens.

She was an active member of LDS Wards in Logan; Champaign, IL; Ithaca, NY; Honolulu, HI; and North Logan, and served faithfully in countless teaching and leadership positions in those Wards. She and Lorin traveled widely and were interested in the cultures and peoples of many other lands, many of whom were guests in their homes while students or visiting faculty members at USU, and who have remained life-long friends. The entire family lived for a year in Australia while Lorin studied and conducted research as a Fulbright Scholar; and later Vola and Lorin returned to Australia to serve together as L.D.S. Missionaries.

Vola led a rich and full life and was a perfect example of independence and faith. She truly endured to the end. She loved many, was loved in return, and will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, April 6, 2009, in the North Logan 11th Ward, 1550 East 1900 North, with Gary Orr, a member of the Ward Bishopric, conducting. Friends may visit with family members at the chapel on Monday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the services. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net