ShanaLee Horrocks

Livestream Link: https://my.gather.app/remember/shanalee-horrocks

Shana was born February 25, 1946 in Vernal, Utah to Thomas Alvin Wardell and Vena Rasmussen. Shana was the 7th of eight children. Life wasn’t always easy as a child. Her father passed away when Shana was only 2 years old leaving her mother a single mom with 7 children to raise. Grandma Wardell made sure that she always had the necessities of life, she taught Shana and her siblings by her example and work ethic – to be dependable, work hard and give an honest day’s work for honest day’s pay, and a love of the Lord and to always trust that he would take care of her family. Her best friends were her three sisters, Gloria, Connie and Kay. She spent the school months in Vernal and the summer months on the family ranch in Colorado. Shana was always very close to her mother and she received much love and support from her.

Shana married Rick Merkley during her senior year of high school. They were blessed with four children, Brad, Denice, Brett and Brian (twins). They later divorced. After several years of being a single mom, Shana’s sister introduced her to Britt Horrocks. They quickly fell in love and on Nov. 28, 1974 (Thanksgiving Day) they were married. On July 1, 1977 their marriage was solemnized in the Ogden Utah LDS Temple. Britt brought into the marriage four children, Matthew, Blake, Heather and Tiffani. Shana and Britt were blessed to have six children, Brandon, Nancy, Joe, Beau, Michael, and Bren. They taught all of their children to work hard and to love the Savior, 11 of their 14 children served honorable missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Shana was an exceptional seamstress and made nearly all of her children’s clothing as well as a couple of elegant formals for her daughters for dances. She loved growing things and had several fruit trees, berry bushes, variety of flowers, and always had a garden which she taught their children to work in. She bottled more fruit and vegetables than one could even imagine to provide for her children. She was an excellent cook and made many wonderful meals for her family as well as for others. She was always there for her children to talk to – a perfect listener and sounding board for their problems. She taught her children to make their own decisions in life, her greatest treasure was her family. She enjoyed watching her boys play football, and basketball, and was an avid BYU football and Utah Jazz fan and enjoyed the reminder call from her sisters to turn on the games.

Shana served in several church callings, she taught primary, served in the young women organization, but her favorite calling was the ward librarian. Together Shana and Britt served an inner-city mission in Ogden and were temple ordinance workers in the Ogden Utah LDS temple, which they loved. They spent most of their married life in the Ogden area. Together Shana and Britt have 56 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Shana is survived by her children: Denice Sears, Brett (Alison) Merkley, Brian (Michelle) Merkley. Brandon (Emily), Nancy (Greg) Olsen, Joe (Kylee), Beau (Emmalene), Michael (Jess), and Bren (Rachel), Matthew (Julie), Blake (Marsan) and Tiffani (Landon) Larsen. She is also survived by her siblings: Connie (Niles) Mott, Gloria (Robert) Harris and Kay Hancock. 

She was preceded in death by her son Brad Merkley, step-daughter Heather Horrocks, and siblings, Bob, Thom, James (Jimmy), and Glee Wardell, her parents and grandparents.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11 am at the Naples LDS Chapel. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:45 AM prior to services at the Chapel. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park.