Rene Joyce Rhead Mortensen Burke Harbertson

Rene Joyce Rhead Mortensen Burke Harbertson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in Farmington, Utah on August 15, 2026 at the age of 93. She has been reunited with her loving parents, Maurine Hinckley and Lewis Clifton Rhead, and husbands Benjamin Franklin Mortensen (married December 27, 1950 - died November 23, 2014), Ronald Rufus Burke (married October 18, 1986 - died November 23, 1994) and Robert B. Harbertson (married June 22, 1999 - died November 18, 2014) in the care of her Heavenly parents.

Rene was born on December 7, 1932, in Ogden Utah, the first of two daughters born to Maurine and Clifton Rhead. She was a descendant of Latter-Day Saints who came from England and settled in Utah. She and her sister, Rochelle Hilton, grew up as best friends in a home next door to a grocery store their father owned.

Rene loved the arts from an early age. She began piano lessons at age four, tap dancing and ballet at age six, and she took drama lessons from her mother. She loved all music and played several instruments including the piano, organ, clarinet and saxophone. She set her alarm to get up each morning and practice at 6:00 a.m. so she could play with friends after school. Marching band, playing in the orchestra and jazz band, acting in plays and dancing in programs brought her much joy and fulfillment.

She graduated from Ogden High School in 1950 and attended Brigham Young University on a full scholarship. During her first semester she met Ben Mortensen who was a senior and star quarterback. They were married on December 27, 1950, when she was 18.

Over the next seven years, Rene became the mother of six children, which, in her own words, was what she loved more than anything else in her life. The family lived many places, including Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah, Mesa, Arizona and Walnut Creek, California, before returning to Provo. After 32 years, their marriage ended in divorce.

Rene continued to take college courses wherever she lived, building the knowledge and skills that led to many years of work as a secretary, receptionist, personal assistant and administrative assistant. One of her favorite positions was working as the secretary and personal assistant for Jeffrey R. Holland.

Her faith was central to Rene’s life. She served faithfully in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was the ward organist everywhere they lived. In 1994, she and her husband Ron Burke served as mission leader and companion in the Tampa, Florida Mission. Ron suffered a fatal heart attack several months into their service, and Rene returned to Utah.

After Ron’s death, Rene began working as an Administrative Assistant to Robert Matthews in the Religion Department at BYU. Robert and the faculty came to love her and helped her find her way back to being the happy, capable, and confident woman she had always been.

Rene's best friend, beginning in third grade, was Norma Greer. In high school, Norma began dating Bob Harbertson, and the three became good friends. After Norma’s death Bob began dating Rene. Bob told Rene that Norma had sent him to marry her. They were married for time in the Provo Utah Temple.

Rene and Bob continued their service together, serving as senior missionaries in the Nauvoo Mission from May 2002 to November 2002 and later as Temple President and Matron of the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple from 2003 to 2006. Her faith, service and love for the Lord were woven into every part of her life.

Those who knew and loved Rene best knew her as Grandma Great—and, in some families, Grandma Grape. She never forgot a birthday and took the time to send a handwritten card for each one. Her delicate penmanship was meticulous, scrolling across the page like tiny lace.

Rene was a constant gatherer. She loved to be surrounded by family and friends and she delighted in bringing her loved ones together for family dinners, pool parties, reunions and countless other occasions. Each Christmas season, she gifted her friends and neighbors a night of beautiful music and wonderful food. She was an excellent cook and even wrote her own cookbook. The smells of fresh-baked bread and homemade soup will always remind us of our Grandma Great. Her home was always open, and her kitchen was warm and inviting.

Rene’s legacy of faith, love, strength to persevere, music and devotion to family will be remembered by her six children, Steve Mortensen (Marilyn), Matt Mortensen (Kathy), Michele Frost (Norm), Jeanette Nielsen, Pam Clark (Roy), and Cheryl Bateman (Mike), 32 grandchildren and 88, and counting, great-grandchildren; and by her beloved sister, Rochelle Rhead Hilton.

Rene's life was marked by music, service, faith, friendship, and—above all—love for her family. We will deeply miss our beautiful, regal Rene—our revered matriarch, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

Until we meet again, we love you with all our hearts.

Services for Rene will be on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome.