Ronda Harris Olsen

Ronda Harris Olsen

1950–2023

Ronda Harris Olsen, age 72, died peacefully at her home in Vernal, Utah on May 19, 2023 after a courageous battle of four years with metastatic breast cancer. Ronda was born to Fred Burt Harris and Dixie Mae Scott in Cedar City, Utah on July 18, 1950. She spent the early years of her life until high school graduation living in Beaver, Utah. She was the middle child of a family of three girls. She is preceded in death by her older sister, Geneva, and both parents. She is survived by her younger sister, Irene Harris Forrest (Reed Roholt) of Beaver, Utah.

Ronda Harris married Wade L Olsen of Vernal, Utah on September 22, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they had three children: Jason (Stephanie) Olsen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Elisa (Kevin) Taylor of Logan, Utah; and Leslie (Kevin) Woodward of Vernal, Utah. She was the proud grandmother of seven: Emma, Hope, and Austin Olsen of Las Vegas, Nevada and Lincoln, Pierce, Quincy, and McKinley Woodward of Vernal, Utah.

Ronda loved everything associated with family and consumer sciences. As a young girl, she pursued numerous 4-H projects. This love continued while still in high school. She took every home economics class she could find. Her culminating project as a Junior was making a red wool coat. As she started college, she pursued her passions for cooking and sewing and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Utah State University in May of 1972.

Ronda began her professional career with Beaver County School District and taught home economics and one beginning type class at Beaver High School for two years. She began graduate studies in 1974 and completed her Master of Science Degree in August of 1976 at the University of Arizona. She accepted the position as Extension Home Economist for Utah State University assigned to Uintah County where she worked until 1980. She took a leave of absence to start her family, then resumed her employment with Utah State University in August of 1985, and worked until her retirement in 2012. Ronda loved her involvement with the youth as a Uintah County 4-H Agent. She worked with children and adults to teach vital sewing and cooking skills which have enriched the lives of many.

Ronda’s sewing projects were plentiful and included many formal and casual pieces of clothing and apparel, complicated counted cross-stitch works, and decorative household goods. She designed and quilted numerous blankets, bedspreads, pillows, and placemats which will live on as a legacy for her family and friends to enjoy. She loved cake decorating, baking, catering large events, and traveling with her family—especially her grandchildren.

Ronda was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many teaching and leadership positions throughout the years. She served as Relief Society President on two different occasions. She delighted in doing genealogical research and in compiling personal and family histories—both written and pictorial.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Vernal Utah Ashley Stake Center located at 475 W. 200 S., Vernal, Utah at 11:00 A.M. Viewings will be at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary, 15 E. 100 N., Vernal, Utah on Tuesday evening, May 23, 2023 from 6:00–8:00 P.M. and one hour prior to the services at the chapel. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction and care of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.