Barbara Kartchner

Barbara (Barb) Kartchner at the youthful age of 87 has gone to join our Dad and her Heavenly Father on April 19, 2019 in Saint George, Utah.  She is survived by her son’s Gary Kartchner, Rick (& Caralee) Kartchner, Ron Kartchner (& Monica) and daughter Sue (& Jon) Chollet.

Barb was born January 26, 1932  and raised in Long Beach, California with her father Joe Beaty, mother Margaret Ann Beaty and brother Joey Beaty.  At a young age her parents divorced and Barb watched her mother work very hard as a single mom, usually working two to three jobs at a time, to be able to provide while also raising both kids.

Life was hard for Barb during that time and her mother knew she needed help, so they went to live with her mothers family to help provide support and a safer environment.  Barb talked about how she enjoyed being with her grandma, aunts and uncles when she was younger and that it was a fun time in her life.  She also was glad that her mother didn’t have to work as hard as she had before now having the family there to help lend support.

As Barb grew older, she returned to California where she attended Pasadena City College and then later went to BYU and that’s where she met our dad, Rue.

As a side note when they met, she was the executive assistant to the President of BYU and was known for her excellent typing & shorthand skills as well as running an office.  She held many top executive assistant jobs including working for Colonel David Eisenhower where she had a top-secret clearance.  She also worked for President Howard W. Hunter in Pasadena who went on to become the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Years later after raising her family she rejoined the work force as the executive assistant for the President of General Dynamics West Coast Division.

Barb & Rue married on September 5, 1953 in Mesa Arizona and they would have celebrated their 66th​ wedding anniversary this year.  Soon after their wedding, they moved to California and in 1965 they decided on Covina as the place they wanted to raise their family.  They lived in Covina for many years and moved to Saint George, Utah later after the kids were all grown.

Our mom experienced hardship and struggle at a young age which made her compassionate and strong. These attributes helped shape her into being the incredible person that she was. She traveled daily for many years and worked tirelessly to help her sick Mom. She was always in tune to the needs of others, taking people in when they were sick; or offering meals or support when she felt there was a need. (Sue was forever giving up her room for extended family that was convalescing at our home.)

Her legacy she leaves is one of character; integrity, serving others and always telling us to be kind to one another.  These weren’t just words she spoke but how she lived her life.  She loved the Lord, she loved her family and she loved the church.  Mom wore many hats and was many wonderful things to family and friends. She was always the Matriarch of our home, keeping us together through love and laughter.  (And she was awesome and patient helping us with our late night homework assignments too.)

Our family (Dad included) joked often and was known for being a little sarcastic at times.  Mom was very proper and sometimes that was too much for her to take. When she reached her limit she would just roll her eyes and you would hear her say “Rulon”, or, one of her kids full names letting us all know that was enough.  She will be greatly missed!

Mom enjoyed her family that continues to grow.

Grandkids:
Kyle (& Ann) Kartchner, Tad (& Chrissy) Kartchner, Tory (& Jill) Kartchner, Lafe Kartchner, Camilla (& Nathan) Park, Corrie Kartchner, Chris Kartchner, Reece Kartchner, Kelly Kartchner, Ryan Chollet, Cole (& Alexis) Chollet, Lily Chollet, Ava Chollet, Kevin Kartchner and Tyler Kartchner.

Great Grandkids:
Stella Kartchner, Phoebe Kartchner, Anita Kartchner, Felix Kartchner, Gus Kartchner, Elliott Kartchner, Fiona Kartchner, Kingsley Park and Indie Chollet.

Her service is planned for this Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Heritage Building located at 290 East 1060 South, Ivins, Utah 84738