LaDon DeRue Harris

LaDon DeRue Harris, 54, returned to our Heavenly Father on February 25, 2024. She was born January 19, 1970, in Logan, Utah to Herman DeWayne Cottam and Judy Lynn Mills. LaDon was a fun, loving, free spirit who lived her life moving between Utah and Idaho.

In her younger years, she attended multiple schools, and with her open and friendly personality, she made friends wherever she went. Whether it was the small two-room school in Stone, Idaho, or the large school in Salt Lake City, Utah, she would be so excited to come home on the first day and tell her mother all about the new friends she’d made. She ended her grade school career by becoming part of a legacy story by attending her father’s high school, Sky View, in Smithfield, Utah. With all her stubborn determination to live life on her terms, she dropped out of her senior year and got a job at the local drive-in. She later got her GED and attended Stevens-Henager College where she graduated with an associate degree in Allied Health.

In July of 1988, she married the love of her life, Joseph Harris. Her dream of becoming a mother came true nine months later when ShayLynn was born. She loved being a mother so much that just eleven months after that they welcomed JusDee into their little family. As much as she wanted to have a large family, she had to wait until 2008 to have her little family branch grow further with the birth of her first 2 grandsons, William and Christopher. In 2010 she was able to welcome her granddaughter, Capri, and another grandson, Spencer. In 2014 she welcomed her last grandson, Hunter. She loved being a grandmother as much as being a mother. She always wanted them to feel special so she gave them all her special nicknames and played with them as much as she could.

LaDon had a zest for life and was determined to make the best of all situations. She enjoyed being a part of a large extended family and always said “the more the merrier”. She always looked for the good in everyone and she always did her best to make everyone feel welcome in her home. She was happiest when her house was overflowing with people laughing and having a good time. She loved being outdoors, so anything to do with picnicking, camping, fishing, four-wheeling, or gardening she was all in. She also loved to travel and enjoyed many family vacations.

LaDon is survived by her husband, Joseph Harris; daughters, ShayLynn (Nathan) and JusDee; mother, Judy Cottam; sister, Nicki Cottam; five grandchildren, William, Christopher, Capri, Spencer, and Hunter; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Herman Cottam; and grandparents, Georgina, Herman, Artense, and Wayne.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, with a viewing beginning at Noon, Monday, March 4, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E 100 S, Jerome, Idaho.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on LaDon’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.