Luree Condie Harris, age 83, passed away February 10, 2018 at the Beehive Homes Memory Care Center in Draper, Utah from complications due to Alzheimer’s Dementia. Her husband and other family members were by her side. Luree was born May 23, 1934 in Cedar City, Utah to William Arthur and Cora Armstrong Condie, the fourth of six children. She attended Cedar Elementary School, Cedar High School and Branch Agricultural College (now SUU). Luree married Mark F Harris on July 20, 1956 in the St. George LDS temple, shortly after Mark’s return from an LDS mission to New Zealand. Luree and Mark are the parents of five children.
Luree and Mark lived in Cedar City, Utah; El Paso, Texas (while Mark served in the US Army); Logan, Utah (where she taught accordion and guitar lessons while Mark attended Utah State University): Tempe, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fremont, Dublin and Cameron Park, California; and Sandy, Utah. While living in Fremont, Luree graduated from California State University, Hayward in physical Education and Kinesiology and then taught P. E., dancing and keyboarding in the Hayward, California School District for 17 years, mostly at Hayward High School.
A faithful member of the LDS Church, Luree served in many leadership positions in her ward and stake: Primary President, Relief Society President and was involved in church musicals; singing, directing choirs and playing the piano and organ, and also a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
After retiring in 1996, Luree and Mark taught English in China through BYU China Teachers Program for two years; first at Shandong Teachers College in Jinan and later at Qingdao University in Qingdao. This teaching adventure was the perfect assignment for both Luree and Mark, which combined their long teaching and church service experiences. In 2003 Luree and Mark served a short-term LDS Charities mission in Belgrade, Serbia, following which they toured England and Scotland, home to some of their ancestors. Luree was accomplished in many areas of music (played the piano, organ, guitar, accordion and vibraharp). She also loved to dance. To communicate with a deaf friend, Luree learned American Sign Language and was able to interpret for the deaf, mostly in church settings.
In recent years Luree has published several books: “Memories of Home” (includes much of her mother’s collection of family history), “Life History of Luree Condie Harris”, “My China Experience” and “By Luree’s Hand”, a picture book of her art and crafts works (oil paintings, crocheting, knitting, quilting, ceramics and more). She was pleased to have her crocheted altar cloth accepted by the Sacramento LDS Temple.
Luree is survived by her husband of 61 years, Mark; and children: Kayelyn (Gary) Merrill, Sandy, Utah; David, Roseville, California; Lynette (Scott) Kendall, Orem, Utah; Russell (Patricia), Pittsburg, California; and Janice (Bruce) Hoff, San Ramon, California; siblings: Melvin, Tooele, Utah; Vernon, Beaver, Utah; Carolyn Bladen, Logan, Utah; and Richard, Washington, Utah. Luree was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Duane Condie. She has 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
The family thanks the caring folks at Beehive Homes Care Center of Draper and the Elevation Hospice caregivers.
Funeral services will be held in Sandy, Utah on Monday, February 19, at 11:00 am, at the Pinecrest LDS Church, 2080 E. Pinecrest Lane (11530 S.). Visitations will be held at the Pinecrest LDS Church on Sunday evening, 7:00-8:00 pm; and Monday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Interment will be at 4:00 pm at the Delta City Cemetery.