Coleen Hartley Gittins

Coleen Hartley Gittins, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away from diabetes complications on July 4, 2025 surrounded by her family. Coleen was born in Ogden, Utah on January 1, 1943 to John Alma Hartley and Nina Randall Hartley and lived most of her childhood in Ontario, Oregon. She moved to Rupert, Idaho her junior year, where she met her high school sweetheart, and eternal love, Jay. Jay and Coleen began their marriage in Idaho, where they were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 29, 1962. After starting a family, they moved to West Valley City, UT to raise their children, and later moved to Riverton, Utah. They retired to Preston, Idaho in 2023.

Coleen was a selfless, quick-witted, and caring woman who took great pride and joy in her family, her work, and her faith. A truly beloved mom, Coleen worked as a homemaker for 64 years, supporting her family to succeed and always sharing the achievements of her children and grandchildren with her community. For over 20 years of her motherhood, Coleen worked as a Distribution Manager for the Newspaper Agency Corporation. She was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where she held many callings and leadership positions. Coleen faithfully served a full-time mission at the Family History Museum with her husband, Jay, in their retirement. Coleen loved looking after her grandchildren, and she never forgot to wish loved ones a happy birthday. Her voice filled with excitement and love every time she answered a call from her family. She was an avid reader, sharp-minded with an extensive vocabulary, and she enjoyed canning the many fruits and vegetables Jay grew in their garden. Coleen also crocheted, sewed, and knit, and she was known for her amazing knitted dishcloths she often gifted to friends and family.

Coleen is survived by her husband, Jay Gittins; her children, Brenda (Randy) Aiken, Dee (Jan) Gittins, Marcie (Robert) Wickham, David (Natalie) Gittins, Kellie (Michael) Green, and Tracie (Wade) Leaphart; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and her sister Shana Child. She was preceded in death by her children Jayleen Gittins and Bryan Gittins; her parents, John and Nina Hartley; her siblings, Lamar Hartley, Terry Hartley, Cheryl Bingham, and Carilee Braegger; and her daughter-in-law, Sandy Gittins.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 9th at 12:00PM at the Preston South Stake Center, 55 East 100 South, Preston, Idaho. A viewing will be held at Webb Funeral Home. 1005 S. 800 E., Preston on Tuesday, July 8th from 6:30-8:30PM and there will also be a viewing held prior to services from 10:30-11:30AM at the church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com. 

Services will be available to stream live Wednesday July 9, 2025 at 12:00 noon MDT by clicking on the following link: