Dawna Rae Brian

Loa, Utah - Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Dawna Rae Brian, returned to her heavenly home on May 9. 2023 after a valiant battle with ALS.

Mom was born September 29, 1946, as the youngest child to Rotaseal and Ethel Heaps Durfey. Mom grew up in Bicknell, Utah and attended Wayne High School where she was active in band, student government and dance. Mom graduated from Wayne High School in 1964 and went on to further her education at Southern Utah State College.

Mom met her husband, Harry Jay Brian, for the first time when she was 12 years old. Dad knew from the first time he saw her that someday she would be his. Mom and dad dated through high school and college and were married and sealed for time and all eternity on July 14, 1966, in the Logan LDS temple.

While attending SUSC, mom and dad welcomed their first child, a daughter, Cherie. Mom worked in a jewelry store in Cedar City to help put her and dad through college which was the beginning of her love of beautiful jewelry. After completing their schooling, mom and dad moved to Rexburg, Idaho where they lived for 10 years. While in Rexburg, they welcomed two sons, Shane, and Tyler. Mom worked as a substitute teacher while in Rexburg and was active in the community and in her ward. Mom loved her time in Rexburg and made many lifelong friends that she has always cherished.

In 1977, mom and dad decided it was time to return to their roots and moved home to Wayne County. In January of 1977 they opened Brian Farm Service Center which they owned and operated for more than 40 years. In the early days of business mom worked tirelessly alongside dad growing the business. Mom did the bookwork, worked the front counter, and even helped dad with the occasional late night fuel delivery. Mom loved her time in the store as it gave her the opportunity to connect with so many dear friends in Wayne County and surrounding counties.

Mom is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mom served in many capacities within the church including in the Primary and Young Women’s organizations. Mom loved serving amongst the children and the youth and always made sure that no child or young woman was left behind. She would go to great lengths to ensure all were included and felt welcome. Mom found great strength in the temple and served along side her eternal companion as an ordinance worker and assistant to the matron for nearly 17 years, three of which was in the Manti Temple Presidency. Mom cherished her time in the temple and the many lifelong friends that she made there.

Mom was a perfectionist and was meticulous in everything she did. Mom was beautiful and classy and never left the house without being fully put together. Mom had impeccable handwriting, was an avid record keeper, and always maintained a beautiful spotless home. Mom had an amazing sense of humor and always maintained a positive attitude. The past 18 months was a struggle for mom; however, she never complained and always focused on the positive.

Mom truly lived the life she wanted to live, she loved her home in Loa and loved the people of Wayne County. Mom was a friend to everyone and always made people feel important and loved. Mom had the ability to draw people in and always found something to compliment.

Perhaps mom’s greatest achievement was that of wife, mom, and grandma. Mom supported her family in everything that they did. She was a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. She never missed an event and was the biggest cheerleader of her grandchildren over the years. Everyone thought they were mom’s favorite as she always made everyone feel special and loved.

Mom is survived by her loving husband, Harry, of Loa; her three children: Cherie Blackburn of Bicknell, Shane (Natasha) of Lyman, Tyler (Danny Caldwell) of Salt Lake City; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister: Doris (Dale) Thurgood of Morgan; sisters-in-law: Ann Durfey of St. George and Shirley Durfey of Spanish Fork.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law: Reed and Marjorie Brian; her siblings: Darryl Durfey, Calvin (Shanna) Durfey, Brent Durfey, foster brother Dewey (Remola) Woolsey.

The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Terri Leavitt as well as the doctors and staff of the Wayne Community Health Center, Provo Neurology, and the University of Utah ALS Clinic for their loving care of mom for the past 18 months.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. in the Loa LDS Stake Center. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the Stake Center in Loa, Saturday morning from 10:00 to 12:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Dawna’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial will be in the Loa Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

FUNERAL SERVICES LIVESTREAM