Nevaida Layton Lee Harper

On Wednesday morning, February 26, 2020, our loving mother, Nevaida Layton Lee Harper quietly passed away in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at the age of ninety-two. She was born on February 8, 1928, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, the oldest daughter of Lawrence Willey Lee and Priscilla Layton.

Nevaida’s great loves were her family, the gospel of Jesus Christ and music. Music was at the center of Nevaida’s life, work and church service. She loved performing music, teaching music, and researching for her doctorate in music education. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University and her doctorate in music education from Arizona State University. Her love of music brought joy into so many lives!

Nevaida was a single mother for 21 years after her marriages, first to Paul Van Bloem (1948) and later to Carl Ries (1964), ended in divorce. On December 28, 1987, she was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple to Blaine Harper.

In the fall of 1990, Blaine and Nevaida enjoyed serving missions in Majuro, Marshall Islands, and later in Nauvoo, Illinois. In between their missions they lived in Calgary and subsequently settled into life in Mountain View, Alberta, Canada. They loved gardening, the scenic beauty and relaxed pace of life in Mountain View but most of all they enjoyed being in each other’s company.

Nevaida is survived by her children, Naidra (Brent) Rowland, Lahna (Randy) Strong, Sandra Van Bloem, Daynia (Deon) Lewis, Mark (Emily) Van Bloem, Andrea (Doug) Hudson, Eric (Yoko) Ries, as well as Blaine’s children Arlaine (Douglas) Austin, Taylor (Miriam) Harper, Paul Harper, Gregory (Lisa) Harper, Haze Eldredge, Steven (Karen) Harper, David (Dayna) Harper, and James (Erica) Harper and their spouses, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her sisters, Sharron (Jim) Gillette and Arleita Lee. She was also blessed to love as family, David (Cindy) Ries, Jennifer (Paul) Ries, Matthew Ries (deceased) and Pete Harryman (deceased).

Nevaida is preceded in death by her husband, Blaine, her son, Larry Van Bloem, her stepsons Jared Harper and Matthew Ries, her granddaughter Dacia Rowland, her adopted son, Pete Harryman and her baby brother Gordon Lee.

Nevaida was distinguished by her unwavering faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her devotion to God guided her every move. Her abiding faith was indelibly instilled on her family by virtue of her constant example. As her descendants, we are so very grateful for this lasting legacy of faith she has left for generations to come. We revere her for her sacrifices. We know she loves us and will continue to watch over us. We rejoice that she is reuniting with loved ones and we will rejoice when we are reunited with her as a family. We love you mom – we will see you again!

We want to thank everyone who lovingly cared for our mother these past few months.

Memorial services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bow Valley Chapel, 2526 24th Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, February 29, 2020, 2:30pm.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3050 Mojave Lane, Provo, Utah, on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 1:00 pm with a visitation beginning at 12:00 pm at the same location.

Interment: Orem City Cemetery