LaRose Hiatt

On the afternoon of July 31, 2025, Juanita LaRose Hiatt passed away in Heber City, Utah, with her family by her side. She was born October 18, 1943 in Sumter, South Carolina to Finley and Juanita McLeod Hendrix. Before her family settled in Heber City, she called South Carolina, Nevada and Idaho home.

She married Robert Hiatt in the Salt Lake Temple and they were blessed with four children: Jim (Kari) Hiatt of Elk Ridge, Brad (Tiffany) Hiatt of Heber City, Kristy (Matt) Colyar of Provo and Angie (Greg) Welling of Orem. LaRose and Robert raised their family in Heber City where they learned from her extraordinary example of what a good person should be. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and above anything else, enjoyed spending time with her family.

She was an incredible cook and any time you ate with LaRose, you knew it would be great. Music was a central part of her life. She grew up singing alongside her parents and siblings, and was known for her love of singing. If she heard a song she recognized, she couldn’t help but join in—singing along with joy and enthusiasm. Anything she could tap her foot along to, she liked. She enjoyed telling her children and grandchildren stories of life growing up on the family ranch in Nevada.

LaRose worked at UCCU for over 37 years assisting and leading coworkers, helping members and giving a chance to people when others would not. She was ahead of her time for a woman in business, carving a path for many to follow. When most women did not pursue a career combined with a family, she excelled at both. She started at UCCU when there were only six employees, gaining experience in all aspects of the financial world. She did it all - from early days as a teller and loan officer to Vice President of Consumer Lending, then retiring as a Branch Manager in 2019. Her retirement announcement described her well: ‘Truly a selfless leader, an independent woman, the hardest worker with the biggest heart. We have all been blessed to have her in our lives - on business and personal levels!’

LaRose had a profound love for the Savior and a steadfast, unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. The Plan of Salvation provided comfort throughout her life. She faithfully served in numerous church callings, but she is perhaps best remembered for her many decades as the beloved chorister of the Heber 7th Ward.

Even though she dealt with health struggles throughout the last few years of her life, she fought hard and stayed positive the entire time. Never once did she complain. Until the end, she remained an example to all.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses. Grandchildren: Kacie (J’son) McDaniel, Meagan (Jake) Curtis, Courtney (Kade) Kallas, Josie Hiatt, Mason (Sidney) Hiatt, Sydney (Trevor) Ward, Gracy Hiatt and Abbie Welling, four great-grandchildren: Jaxxon and Everly McDaniel and Brantley and Hudson Curtis. Also survived by her brother: Danny (Twyla) Hendrix, sisters: Cathy (Dee) Dixon, Vicki (Robert) Giles, Margaret (Hugh) Howard, and brother-in-law: Dale (Judy) Hiatt. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents and sister-in-law Kathy (Jim) Francis.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel located at 1365 East Center Street in Heber City. Family and friends are invited to gather and pay their respects on Wednesday, August 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again on Thursday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., at the same location. Interment will follow at the Heber City Cemetery.

What a profound blessing it was to know such an extraordinary woman. Her impact on the lives of others is immeasurable—a lifetime devoted to kindness, compassion, and service. We love her deeply, miss her dearly, and will forever treasure the memories we shared with her.