Barbara Louise (Harris) DeHaan

Barbara Louise Harris DeHaan

1932 ~ 2026

Barbara Louise Harris DeHaan, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, and Friend, returned home to her Heavenly Father on May 6, 2026, in Lehi, Utah, at the age of 94.

Barbara was born January 19, 1932, in Tacoma, Washington, to Ammon Harris and Ivy LaRie Hochstrasser Harris. She was raised in Tenino, Fife, and Tacoma, Washington, with her three brothers, Kenny, Gaylen, and Jerry.

The Harris and DeHaan families attended the same ward (Church) for many years, but it was during Douglas’ military leave that their romance began.

Barbara married Douglas on March 19, 1955, in Anchorage, Alaska, where Douglas was serving in the Army. They were later sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on December 6, 1955. Together they shared nearly 69 years of marriage and built a life rooted in faith, love, service, and family.

While living in Alaska, Doug received a missionary calling and was formally set apart (given a blessing for missionary service). Afterward, Barbara walked over and sat in the same chair. The priesthood holder looked at her with surprise and asked, “Oh, so you want to be a missionary too?” Barbara answered, “Yes!” He paused for a moment, thinking of how to proceed. Then he smiled and said, “Okay,” and set her apart as well. That moment became a beautiful symbol of the life she and Douglas would build together, serving faithfully side by side throughout their entire marriage.

The most important thing in Barbara’s life was her testimony of and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved studying the scriptures and continually deepening her understanding of the Gospel.

Some of Barbara’s favorite Church callings were the ones most people tried to avoid. She especially loved teaching Gospel Doctrine and sharing her testimony with others. Barbara served in early morning seminary (6:00 a.m. gospel study with high school-age students) for nearly 19 years. While many of those years were spent teaching, she also served as a supervisor, traveling to different seminary classes and mentoring teachers along the way.

These opportunities to teach and serve were at the core of Barbara’s life. She truly looked forward to them, and they brought her so much joy. Barbara also enjoyed speaking as a motivational speaker and participating in the “Know Your Religion” speaking circuit, where she shared her testimony, humor, and love of the Gospel with many audiences.

Barbara later served alongside Doug in the Florida Jacksonville Mission while he served as Mission President from 1987–1990. Working with faithful young missionaries and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ became one of the great joys of their lives together. Many of those missionaries remained closely connected to Barbara and Doug throughout the years, reflecting the lasting influence they had on the lives and families of those they loved and served.

Beyond her faith and service, Barbara was a wonderful mother and friend who loved keeping in touch with others. Back in the days when phone calls were charged by the minute, her lengthy conversations with family and friends often led to memorable monthly phone bill discussions.

Barbara was known for being wonderfully straightforward — her caretakers never had to guess what she needed. She loved conversing with people and was often courageous in doing so. She was known for her spontaneous singing, whether it was at a dinner party, during a church talk, dancing around the house, or alone in her room. It was not uncommon for her caretakers to hear her singing down the hall.

Barbara had a deep love for life. Even though she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at a young age, she remained optimistic and rarely, if ever, complained.

Barbara’s favorite hobby was shopping — especially for clothes, handbags, and accessories. She loved beautiful, high-quality brands and took excellent care of everything she owned. After her passing, the family discovered many items that still had the original tags attached. When Barbara found something she loved, she would excitedly say, “I’ll take one in every color.”

Barbara had the unusual talent of applying lipstick perfectly without a mirror, something the younger generation wished she would teach them.

Barbara and Doug enjoyed cruising with friends. Over the years, they spent 29 weeks together at sea creating lasting memories and friendships.

In her senior years, Barbara began enjoying some of Doug’s favorite hobbies by watching sports with him. Before long, she could recite the names of many players, whether it was baseball, basketball, or golf.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all loved being around her. Barbara was known for spirited Yahtzee games, including one unforgettable moment when she jokingly ate the scorecard while losing so no one else could see her score. She was also known for her famous quote, “Let the party begin!”

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Warren DeHaan; her parents, Ammon and Ivy LaRie Harris; her daughter, Rochelle DeHaan Hamblin; and her brothers, Gaylen Harris and Kenny Harris.

Barbara is survived by her son, Terrence Joseph DeHaan (Sue); her son, Roger Lee DeHaan; her daughter, Julienne DeHaan Przybyla (Dan); and her brother, Jerry Harris (Claire).

Barbara is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter on the way!

A viewing and Celebration of Life for Barbara Louise Harris DeHaan will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah 84003. The viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:30 a.m.

The family warmly welcomes those attending to share a short memory, story, or even a funny moment that reflects Barbara’s unique personality and life.

Livestreaming details for those unable to attend in person will be shared once arrangements are finalized.

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