Heidi Ann Harker

Heidi Ann Harker was born September 15, 1983, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the youngest of five children born to Stephen and Nancy Richins.

From an early age, Heidi had an independent and adventurous spirit. She could often be found climbing trees, playing with bees, perched at the top of a jungle gym, or spraying the garden hose at anyone unfortunate enough to walk by. With her adventurous nature and love of the outdoors, she was sometimes jokingly referred to as everyone’s favorite younger brother. Her dad also affectionately gave her the nickname “Creature.”

Heidi attended Viewmont High School where she played volleyball and softball. She had a tendency to blaze her own path. During one softball game, while rounding third base, she ignored the base coach’s instruction to stop and continued home, safely scoring the run—although her decision-making earned her a seat on the bench afterward. On another occasion, she left school in the middle of the day, borrowing her father’s car to go get donuts. Her father, who happened to be an assistant principal at the school, was sitting in the parking spot waiting for her when she returned.

Heidi was creative in many aspects of her life and had a gift for seeing beauty and possibility where others might not. She could turn someone else’s discarded item into something worth keeping, and her home was often decorated with interesting pieces she had collected from nature.

The outdoors remained one of Heidi’s greatest loves throughout her life. Camping, hunting, fishing, and simply being in nature brought her great joy, and many of her happiest memories were made outdoors with the people she loved. From a young age, she was a talented marksman, routinely beating competitors much older than she was at local turkey shoots. She was always game to try something new and happiest when there was an adventure to be had.

Heidi was never afraid of hard work. As a teenager, she cleaned horse stalls in exchange for time riding the horses she loved. Later, she found great satisfaction in landscaping projects, where her love of hands-on work and the outdoors came together naturally. At the time of her passing, she worked in a woodshop and had developed an appreciation for fine woodworking and craftsmanship.

More than anything, Heidi cared deeply about people. She had a gift for loving others without judgment and was generous in ways that were often quiet and unexpected. She was also an exceptionally thoughtful gift giver. Heidi noticed the little things about people and had a knack for choosing gifts that made them feel truly seen and known.

That same tenderness extended to animals and creatures of all kinds, particularly those others might overlook. Her beloved boxer, Misha, who came into her life while she was in high school, was the first in a long line of dogs who became her constant companions, often joining her on outdoor adventures. She adored her horse, Skits, and over the years also cared for cats, chickens, and other animals that found a place in her life.

Some of Heidi’s dearest memories were made in the mountains with her father, Steve, whose love of the outdoors she inherited and cherished. After his passing, those memories became even more precious to her—a lasting thread of connection between father and daughter.

Heidi’s life was not without difficult seasons. Those challenges were a part of her story, but they did not define her. Those who knew and loved Heidi knew the whole person: her strength and humor, her generosity and compassion, her creativity, her love of animals and the outdoors, and especially her remarkable capacity to care for others.

Above all, Heidi loved her family deeply, and nothing brought her greater joy than being a mother to Elli, Chloe, and Nora. She shared her love of the outdoors with her daughters through horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and camping, creating memories together in the places she loved most. Her daughters were at the heart of her life, and the love she had for them was immeasurable.

Heidi is survived by her husband, Tyler; her daughters, Elli, Chloe, and Nora; her mother, Nancy Richins; and her siblings, Brenda and Joe Gallegos, Holly Richins Jorgensen, Jansen and Holly Richins, Emily and Mike Lauder, and Alayna and Radek Pulsipher, along with their families. She was preceded in death by her father, Stephen Richins.

A public viewing will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m. at the North Canyon 5th Ward Chapel, 2505 South Davis Boulevard, Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory YouTube Channel and on this obituary below.