Our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, Darlene Harris returned to her Heavenly Father on February 12, 2026 in Cedar City, Utah. She passed from this life peacefully just as she desired, in the comfort of her own home with her family present. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Eugene and sister Rosemarie, adopted son William “Bill” Kringlen, and husband Dennis.
Darlene was born on July 29, 1935, to Maytie Alice Toone and Edison “Ed” LeRoy Platt. She was the youngest of three children. Darlene grew up in Devil’s Slide, Utah, a small town near Morgan, now gone, where her father worked at the concrete plant.
Upon Ed’s passing, her mother moved the family to Salt Lake City, Utah when Darlene was seven years old. There, Darlene graduated from Granite High School and went on to get her nursing license. Darlene worked at LDS hospital, University of Utah, and IHC in Cedar City. Mom loved what she did and when asked how long she was a nurse, she said, “too many years, but I loved all of the people I worked with and patients I took care of.”
Darlene met the love of her life, Dennis Harris, and they were married on March 2, 1962. Darlene and Dennis blended two families. Together, they had seven children. Simply being around and spending time with family is what gave mom the most joy.
Mom was an amazing cook. Nobody wanted to miss her Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Her food, her place settings, and hospitality were all topnotch. There was never a shortage of stories, laughter, or love in her home.
Mom was a teacher, a caregiver, a listener, and a friend. Many conversations and lessons were had right at her kitchen table. It may have been over a meal, bottling fruits and vegetables, a card game, or just by listening. You always felt better after leaving her table.
When asked about a favorite memory from her life, she didn’t hesitate by answering, “Marrying Dennis and having my kids”, then paused for a second and added, “I’ve had a good life”.
We love you mom; thank you for all your goodness, your service, your kindness, your listening, your advice, and most of all, thank you for being an amazing mother to us.
Darlene is survived by Jody Harris, Ginger (Dave) Compton, Kathleen Michael (Tim Walters), Randy Harris, Beth McEvoy, Cory (Laura) Harris, Danny (Lynette) Harris, Kim (Mike) Hansen.
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The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Beth McEvoy and Judy Perry for their service and compassionate care for mom.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (520 S. 1100 W. Cedar City, UT). A viewing will be held prior from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the same location as well as a viewing on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 5 to 7 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary. Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. To watch the funeral livestream and share online condolences, please visit the website www.mortuary.org.