Joleen Berntsen Harris

Our beloved mother, Joleen Berntsen Harris, left this world exactly how she lived her life; surrounded by her children, who loved and adored her. Everything about her was beautiful. She leaves a legacy of love for all who knew her.

The former cheerleader and multiple-time beauty pageant winner arrived in the beautiful Heber Valley in 1963 with nothing but her 5 children. She was a young, 24-year-old, single mother—with 5 children under 8 years old. But time would show Joleen was so much more than just a pretty face. She was incredibly brave and resilient, determined to make a better life for her children. She supported her kids for many years as a hard working waitress at the Hub Café. She scrimped and saved until she was finally able to buy a home for her children. Their very own home. Joleen was always so proud of that house and what it represented —the life she would give her kids. That beautiful home became their roots and foundation in that beautiful valley; and remains the symbol of grit, determination, and work ethic for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Joleen spent the first 14 years of her life amid the corn fields of Iowa. She was born on July 30, 1939, to the late Michael Wilbur Berntsen and Ruby Helena Berntsen. Her parents moved Joleen and their family to Las Vegas in 1953, where she attended high school in Henderson. It was in Las Vegas Joleen met her husband and the father of her 5 children, Mel Talbot. Mel, Joleen, and their children moved many times. They lived in Las Vegas, Montana, and Washington. Mel and Joleen later divorced.

Joleen met her future husband, Neil Harris, while he was working in Heber. Neil and Joleen were married in 1970 and were together for 49 years. After her children were grown, Neil and Joleen lived in South Carolina, Washington, Texas, and Missouri for Neil’s work. They returned home to Heber after 6 years away.

Neil and Joleen had many adventures throughout their life together and loved to travel. They spent many winters in Arizona, and went on river and camping trips with friends and family. Joleen was able to travel to Japan, China, Italy, France, England, Mexico, and Canada. She was a devoted wife to Neil and loved being stepmom to Neil’s 5 children. Neil passed away in 2019, and Joleen missed him deeply.

Joleen’s purpose and passion in life was first and foremost her family. She was loving, intelligent, and an avid reader. She was a self-educated history buff. Her skills from her living room as a couch-contestant on Jeopardy were unbeatable, and she remains the reigning champion of Trivial Pursuit at family game time. She was a wonderful cook and taught so many of her family how to cook. She made delicious, home-cooked meals for her family every single day. She worked as a waitress at the Hub, for her husband’s construction company, the Wasatch Wave, and finished out her working days at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Joleen is survived by her 5 children: Shari (Blaine) Watkins of Heber; Michael Talbot (Jim Glenn) of Salt Lake, John (Shannon) Talbot of Echo, Oregon; Dan (Rika) Talbot of Seattle, and Tony Talbot of Walla Walla, Washington.

She also leaves 5 grandchildren: Joelle Fierro of Layton, Nick (Azia) Watkins of Heber, John Talbot (Courtney Talbot) of Echo, Oregon, Kassie Talbot (David Groce) of Hermiston, Oregon; and Maya Talbot of Tokyo, Japan; as well as 8 great-grandchildren: Jackson, Gia, Kalena, Ashley, Callie, Randy, Ryker, and Rayden.

Joleen leaves 4 stepchildren: Christie (Gary) Monteer, John (Claudine) Harris, Cindy (Marlin) Hansen, and Matt (Jennifer) Harris.

Joleen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Robert Berntsen and Steve Berntsen, and step-daughter Sheila Harris Mair. Her death leaves only one remaining sibling, her older brother, Theodore Berntsen of Sacramento.

Friends and family are invited to visit with Joleen’s family at a viewing at the Heber Valley Funeral Home on Sunday, March 5th, from 6:30-8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Heber Valley Funeral Home on Monday, March 6th, at 11 AM, with a viewing held one hour before, at 10 AM. Interment will be at the Heber City Cemetery.

Our family would like to thank the medical professionals at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Rocky Mountain Care, and Enhabit Hospice for the care and kindness shown to our sweet mother and our family during such a difficult time. We would also like to thank the Secret Santa who delivered gifts each day to our mother right before Christmas. She was delighted to get these surprise gifts.

To stream services, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/85409/hash:26DC99A5C4F71EDA