JuVene Church Porter

JuVene Church Porter, age 93, passed away on April 2, 2026 in Santaquin, Utah. She was born on January 16, 1933 in Delta, Utah to Robert Grant “Shine” and Yvonne Heyborne Church She has been a lifetime resident of Delta. She was the 2nd of 3 children, with a sister, Joyce, and brother, Gary; and lots of cousins and family. During her childhood, her father worked as a sheep shearer, and they traveled from Arizona to Canada, residing in a tent throughout their journey. She attended Delta schools and graduated from Delta High School in 1951, where she received the Womanhood award upon graduating.

She attended BYU for a year, and then moved back to Delta and worked as a telephone operator. A handsome young man, Kenneth Porter, returned to the area from school after serving in the Army Air Corps. He first noticed JuVene at the local theater where she sold candy and tickets in the evenings. After inquiring about her, Ken discovered she also worked as an operator at the local telephone company. He made a call to the company, just to speak with JuVene, and asked her out on a date. After the first date, he had to ask her for another date; because Ken wanted to kiss her and JuVene wouldn’t let him, because she never kissed on the first date. So, they continued to date and were married on July 15, 1954 in the Manti LDS Temple. They loved to go dancing and they would go everywhere, their favorite song to dance to was “You, You, You.” They moved to Texas for a brief time and then returned to Delta.

She was a devoted mother to seven children, including her son, Duane, who passed away at nine months old—an experience that was a deeply difficult trial. To her remaining six children, she was the world’s best mom and grandma. She cherished her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loving each one uniquely and wholeheartedly. Known lovingly as “Grandma Bean,” she was adored by all and had a special gift for making everyone feel important and loved.

JuVene has been a hard worker all her life and has served selflessly in helping others. She has irrigated, herded sheep, raised gardens, and canned countless numbers of fruits, jams, and jellies. She is an excellent cook, baker, and candy maker. So many in the area have enjoyed her delicious homemade treats and especially her cinnamon rolls.She ran the Sutherland store for a few years, worked at IFA for a while and then worked at the Delta South Elementary as the lunch manager for many years until she retired. She cooked delicious meals for the kids, and while there she was very instrumental in starting to recognize local Veterans on Veterans Day, teaching the love of country to the kids. She loved the kids and they loved her!

She was the Pinterest queen before Pinterest, she stayed up all hours sewing beautiful clothes for her kids, making doll houses, rugs, and countless other crafts. Now she is best known as the ‘scrubby lady’, she has made and handed out hundreds of ‘scrubbies’ to friends and family. She was also an avid quilter, and would make quilts for family and friends as well; however, Richard has the most.

She was an active member of the church and served in many callings in the primary, Relief Society President, Young women’s President, Stake Relief Society Councilor. She was always dedicated and ministering to all.

We want to thank the Staff at Seasons of Santaquin Assisted Living, Bonnie and Kori from I-Care for the cares given the last years of her life.

She is survived by her husband: Ken Porter; her six children: Shauna (Kelly) Monson, Sharon (Dan) Harris, Greg (Nona) Porter, Richard (Cindy) Porter, Sharlene (Bryce) Monsen, Doreen (Craig) Munier; brother: Gary; and many grandkids and great grandkids. She is preceded in death by son: Duane Kenneth Porter; granddaughter: Cori Porter; parents: Shine and Yvonne Church; and sister: Joyce Ashby.

Funeral Services: Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 am, at the Sutherland LDS Chapel, 3060 West 2600 North. Viewings: Friday evening, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Nickle Mortuary; and Saturday, 9:30–10:40 am, prior to the service. Those unable to attend in person may view the recorded video of the service. Link will be posted with her obituary at www.nicklemortuary.com following conclusion of the service. Burial will be in the Sutherland Cemetery.