Make the Best Better: The Life of Julia "Lurena" Eldredge
Julia and her husband Merrill Warrnick
Julia Lurena Eldredge
1898–1989
Utah Mother of the Year – 1964
Educator, 4-H Leader, Devoted Mother, and Community Builder
Former Resident of 4410 South 3600 West, Granger, Utah
Born on September 2, 1898, in Granger, Utah, Julia Lurena Eldredge came into the world as the third child of Frederick E. Eldredge and Julia Lambert Eldredge. Named after her mother and her father’s beloved grandmother, Lurena Fitzgerald Nebeker, she carried the legacy of strong women in her family with pride and purpose. From a young age, she took those names to heart, striving to bring honor to them through a life filled with love, industry, and selfless service.
As an infant, Lurena battled serious illness—first whooping cough at just ten days old and then chickenpox at six months—which kept her from attending church until she was nine months old. She grew up on the family farm in Granger as one of twelve children—nine girls and three boys. With no brothers until after five sisters, she quickly became her grandfather’s right hand on the farm. She held horses while he shoed them, fed calves, watered the garden, pulled weeds, and led the horse during hay harvests. She especially loved accompanying him to the dry farm, which was located on the land that later became Kearns, Utah.
Her days often ended by the stream near the farm, where she played in nature, hunted bird eggs, cooked frog legs, and churned homemade butter—all in her tiny frying pan. These experiences fostered her lifelong love of the outdoors and her deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. She passed this reverence on to her children and her 4-H students throughout her life.
A gifted storyteller, Lurena enjoyed sharing tales from her childhood. One family favorite was the time she convinced her younger sister Inez that she was adopted, prompting tears and a firm parental scolding followed by a sincere apology. These stories, rich with humor and humanity, reflected the warmth and joy she brought to her family life.
Lurena’s formal education began in Taylorsville and culminated in her graduation from Granite High School in 1918. During her time at Granite, she boarded with the family of Dr. John Sharp, working as a nurse and helper. Her talent in art was evident early; she designed the official Granite High School seal, which remains in use today. After high school, she attended the University of Utah, living with Dan B. Shields, then the Utah Attorney General. Though offered paths in both nursing and secretarial work, her heart was drawn to art and teaching.
Her teaching journey began at age 11 as a Primary teacher. At the University, she taught children in a model classroom used to train future educators—a formative experience that solidified her desire to teach. She later taught in the Granite School District and substituted in Pleasant Grove after her marriage.
She married and built a life with her husband in Granger and later Murray. Together they raised eight children, including foster children and disadvantaged boys who found shelter, love, and guidance in their home. Their family thrived through the difficult years of the Great Depression, bound by faith, hard work, and an enduring spirit of service.
Lurena devoted 35 years to 4-H leadership, founding Utah’s first Entomology 4-H Club and mentoring hundreds of youth. She personally assisted 31 club members in winning out-of-state trips and designed a special pin to commemorate their achievements, with the Kennecott Copper Company funding its production. Her service was honored with six Golden Clover pins, each adorned with a jewel symbolizing her decades of leadership.
She also played a pivotal role in the American Dairy Association, serving as State President of the Women’s Auxiliary and actively participating in the Dairy Princess contests and national conventions—traveling extensively and broadening her community’s outreach.
In 1964, Lurena was named Utah Mother of the Year and honored at the National American Mothers Convention at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Her dedication to family and service was further celebrated in the years that followed, as she continued to participate in the program nationally.
She and her husband were the first recipients of the Pleasant Grove Junior High Seminary “Service to Youth” Award, a recognition of their lasting contributions to young people. She also opened her home to international exchange students from Germany, Sweden, Iran, the Philippines, and Turkey, forging bonds of friendship and understanding across cultures. The first, Sigrid Shaul of Germany, arrived shortly after World War II, helping to heal post-war tensions through genuine personal connection.
Her personal motto, “Make the Best Better,” drawn from her years in 4-H, truly defined her life. She found joy in lifting others, honoring her name and heritage with every act of kindness and every life she touched.
Laurena is seated on the left side of photo
Laurena enjoyed going to the small 1 room community school and then she attended The Monroe School. Her father Frederick drove the school children to school in his wagon and in his sleigh.