SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 22, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer J. Cox has signed his first piece of legislation of Utah’s 2021 General Legislative Session.
It’s a resolution to recognize the public service of Utah state Rep. LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff, who died on Dec. 30, less than two months after her Nov. 3 re-election to her state representative position.
The resolution, H.C.R. 7, follows:
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
WHEREAS, LaWanna Miles “Lou” Shurtliff was born in 1935 in the small Star Valley community of Smoot, Wyoming;
WHEREAS, during her childhood years LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff learned the value of hard work, spending time on her grandpa’s farm attending to farm duties such as milking cows,
tending sheep, feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, and hauling hay;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff graduated from Star Valley High School in 1953 and graduated from Utah State University in 1957 with a degree in Business and a minor in English;
WHEREAS, in 1957 LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff married Robert Hadley Shurtliff, and together they established a beautiful home in Roy, Utah;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff fostered many long-lasting relationships while pursuing a variety of interests. She was a wonderful seamstress, played with a bridge club for over 60 years, played Mahjong, was an avid golfer and bowler, and loved to travel with her husband and friends, including escorting Ogden High seniors on their annual trip to Hawaii;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff taught English at Roy Junior High School and went on to teach Business and Accounting at Ogden High School for 28 years;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff was an advocate for her students both inside and outside the classroom;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff served as president of the Ogden Education Association, director of the Utah Education Association, and member of the National Education Association;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff served in the Utah House of Representatives, representing District 10, from 1999 to 2008 and again from 2019 until her death in December, having just won reelection to another term;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff had a keen mind and a gift for developing relationships with representatives on both sides of the aisle and was loved and respected by legislators throughout the state;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff was a political mentor for elected officials and other people in her life and inspired people, young and old, to be more involved in bettering their community. She led by example with her steadfast commitment to her principles and by her personal touch, especially her candor and infectious laugh;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a beloved teacher, and served in many positions serving the youth and women for many years;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff was deeply involved in the Ogden community, was a member of the Richards Institute of Ethics, the Social Sciences Advisory Council of Weber State University, the Ogden Weber ATC Foundation, the Ogden City School Board Foundation, the Junior League of Ogden, and Arts International;
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff received the Alumni Merit Award from Utah State University, the Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Certificate for her work with the Weber County League of Women Voters, the Lewis W. Shurtliff Award for Contributions to Education, the Utah Domestic Violence Council Award, the Weber County Commission’s Hero Award, and the Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence, and was a member of the Order of the Pearl Kappa Delta Sorority and was on the Utah Education Association Honor Roll;
WHEREAS, a good friend stated that “Lou gave back to her community in such a way most people can only aspire to. Whether it was fighting for Utah schools, domestic violence victims, funding the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home, or protecting the Ogden Nature Center, the footprint she left on her community is one of giants”; and
WHEREAS, LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff passed away on Dec. 30, 2020
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein, recognizes the many years of dedicated public service of LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff to the people of the state of Utah, expresses great appreciation for her many contributions to the state, and expresses deep sympathy to her family, friends, and constituents at her passing.
