Margaret (Rasmussen) Harding

Margaret Rasmussen Harding, 88, of East Garland, Utah, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025. Born on July 31, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah, she was the cherished daughter of James and Afton Rasmussen. On March 20, 1958, Margaret married Franklin Brooks Harding in Salt Lake City, creating a partnership filled with love and dedication until Franklin's passing on April 30, 2020, 62 years after their marriage.

Throughout her life, Margaret resided in many communities, including Logan, UT; Missoula, MT; Kalispell, MT; Taylorsville, UT; Pleasant Grove, UT; Tallahassee, FL; Ochlocknee, GA; Cairo GA; Phoenix, AZ; Glendale, AZ; Concho, AZ; Tooele, UT; Vernon, UT; Garland, UT leaving a lasting impact in each place.

A proud graduate of Utah State University, Margaret earned dual bachelor's degrees in English and Physical Education in 1960. Her diverse talents flourished in various roles, including dance instructor, teacher, homesteader, baker, canner, and kid herder. She excelled as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt, embracing each role with unwavering love and commitment.

Margaret's passions extended to creative writing, journaling, creating healthy meals to feed an army from scraps, and baking loaves of bread by the dozens. She enjoyed hobbies such as synchronized swimming, modern dance, quilting, embroidery, and rose gardening. Margaret was also known as an expert conversationalist, delighting those around her with her intelligence, insight, wit, and charm.

An active member of her community, she participated in several organizations including the Knight Writers of Arizona, Lamda Delta Sigma, Orhesis, Women's Recreation Association, and the Arizona Republican Committee. Her faith played a significant role in her life as she was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served tirelessly in numerous callings, often selflessly serving the less fortunate members of her community.

Margaret is survived by her children: Scott, Lynn (Cyndee), Shane (Janene), Joy (Glenn), Roy (Iris), Kitty, Bryce (Leah), Glen (Deena), Joe (Heather), Phil (Miken), and Julianne along with 40 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Jim Brooks Harding, her sister Dianne Holt, and her beloved husband Franklin Brooks Harding.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11 A.M. Viewings are scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 6-8 P.M. and prior to the service from 10-10:30 A.M. All services will take place at the Fielding Stake Center located at 4375 W 15600 N, Garland, UT 84312. Interment will follow at the East Garland Cemetery.

For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below. Margaret's legacy of love, creativity, sacrifice, and faith will continue to inspire those who knew her.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.