Karen Louise Morrison Harker, age 63, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at her home in St. George, Utah. She was born on July 28, 1957 in Fillmore, Utah , the oldest of four children born to Willis Clark and Charlotte Evelyn Kay Morrison. Karen grew up on the family farm in Delta, Utah where she loved riding horses and playing the piano. She graduated high school from Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah in 1975 where she excelled playing the flute in the band. She moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she met the love of her life, Richard Lee Harker. They were married on July 8, 1978 in Delta. They made their first homes in Kemmerer and Fort Bridger, Wyoming where she worked as a court clerk. In 1984 she and Rick had the opportunity to move back home where they settled on their farm in Sugarville, Utah. She began working in the family businesses: Beehive Seed, SAM Alfalfa and Morrison Fertilizer, becoming an integral part of their successful operations. She was a very hard worker and took part in almost every aspect of managing. Karen really enjoyed studying and learning new skills and was extremely competent in her knowledge of computers and business operations. In 1994, she added a new business endeavor when she became owner and operator of C.U.T.S., one of only a few Alfalfa Testing Laboratories in the region. In 2011, she and Rick moved to St. George where Karen worked as a tax preparer for Liberty Tax. As with everything she pursued, Karen was very capable and knowledgeable at her profession and she truly enjoyed helping her clients.
Karen was deeply committed to her faith and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. She served as piano and organ player for many years and held the office of Clerk of the Session at the Delta Community Church. Karen was a woman of sincere integrity and always sought to do the right thing. Karen loved music, was a voracious reader and seeker of knowledge. Her Pomeranian dogs were an especially great joy to her. What most people will remember about Karen is she was genuinely kind and friendly. It could be said she never met a stranger. She loved meeting and talking with new friends, but her greatest joy was always her family. She played an integral role in the lives of her husband, siblings, nieces and nephews. Karen’s joyful, infectious laugh, bright smile and meaningful conversations will be greatly missed!
Karen is survived by her husband: Rick; stepchildren: Teresa, San Diego, CA and Stephen, Baltimore, MD; grandchildren: Cheyenne and James; 3 great-grandchildren; siblings: Ann (Bill) Ashby and Phil (Tonya) Morrison, both of Delta, and Mike (Marci) Morrison, Idaho Falls, ID; beloved nieces and nephews: Jason, Jono, Laura, Maggie (Ryan), Joey, Katie, Nicole & Kristin; 4 great-nieces/nephews, and her uncle: Philip (Cynthia) Kay. She was preceded in death by her parents and 5 beloved fur babies.
Due to concerns around COVID, Funeral Services, attended by family members, will be held on Saturday, January 16. Friends are invited to view the recorded video of the service at: https://youtu.be/zINLfIg4VLE . An additional Celebration of Karen's Life will be held in the future after the concerns related to COVID transmission have ceased. Burial will be in the Delta City Cemetery.