Barbara Kathryn Tate

Barbara Kathryn Olsen Tate, an elect lady and disciple of Jesus Christ, left us on her way to eternal progression on the morning of Sunday, July 10, 2022. Her reunion with her parents was long anticipated and a joyous event. Barbara, 78, was born in Boise, ID on May 30, 1944 and five days after was adopted by her goodly parents, Charles Gentry Olsen and Ila Nash Olsen. Barbara lived a short time in Preston, ID then her family moved to Burley, then to Twin Falls, ID where she was raised and met, then later married, her husband Joel Richards Tate. Barbara was an exceptional scholar and active student at Twin Falls High School. She skied, was on the tennis team, was a leader in the Future Teachers of America club, was in Girls League, Pep Club, and was a Student Body Officer. Barbara often spoke of going to her parent’s cabin, in Warm Springs near Sun Valley, ID, and spending time fishing with her father in the stream behind the cabin.

Barbara attended Utah State University, where she continued her engagement in studies and extracurricular activities. She was a member of Sigma Kappa, a secretary of the Independent Student Council, the Panhellenic President, and had a seat on the Student Senate. She completed school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Education with a minor in English. Shortly after college she took a teaching position at a new start up, Business College in Cardston, Alberta Canada. While in Canada, she was able to go on splits with missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and share her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Barbara was a lifelong member of the church and her testimony never wavered.

After returning home to Twin Falls from Alberta, Barbara and Joel rekindled their relationship and began their courtship. They were sealed by the power of the priesthood in the Salt Lake Temple for time and eternity on December 29, 1967. After being married, they moved to Midway, Utah, where Barbara was recruited and offered a position teaching English at Wasatch High School in Heber City, while Joel continued his education at BYU. After school, they moved to Blanding, Utah where Barbara obtained a position at San Juan High School teaching Business and Typing. She taught at San Juan High until her third child, Joel (Dee) was born in 1976, when she stopped teaching professionally and stayed at home with her children until Dee was 5 years old. Though Barbara didn’t go back to the teaching profession, she always continued to be a teacher, to her children, to the members of the church, and others that she encountered in her professional career. Barbara took a position with the State of Utah in the Blanding division of Job Service. She started as a secretary, then advanced to open a new program, JTPA, where she organized workshops, excursions, trainings, and worked closely with the local chamber of commerce and local businesses to place people in positions and help them to obtain careers. Eventually Barbara became the local manager of Job Service and then served as the manager of Workforce Services for several years after the State combined Job Service and Social Services. As an active member in her community, she served as PTA president, on the USU/CEU Higher Education Advisory Council, on the Economic Development Board, on the San Juan Travel and Tourism Board, as president of the American Cancer Society local chapter, and on the City Chamber of Commerce. Later on, she taught several classes at the local branch of the College of Eastern Utah/Utah State University before going into full time retirement.

Barbara was naturally a leader and teacher. She was blessed, “unto great responsibility of leadership which should extend into your life and mission here in mortality.” Barbara served in several leadership positions and teaching positions in school, college, employment, and the church including, councilor in two Relief Society Presidencies, Primary President in the Blanding 5th Ward, and twice as a member of the Stake Relief Society Board. She served as gospel instructor in the Relief Society and was a faithful visiting teacher and ministering sister for many years. Her service to others did not stop with her calling. Barbara continued to minister to others until her passing. She often made and shared greeting cards to brighten someone’s day or offer comfort. Making friends was easy for Barbara with her lovable personality, openness, and concern for others.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Gentry and Ila Nash Olsen, her brother David Olsen (Gloria), and her grandson Gentry Ian Horsely (Debra). She is survived by her husband, Joel Richards Tate (80), and her children Robert Charles Tate (Kendra), Jennifer Tate Rossum (Dean), Joel Taylor Tate (Cynthia), and Debra Lynn Tate (Joe), as well as her grandchildren, (Robert)- Kelvin Tate, Ashley Tate, Keaton Tate (Lilly), Kaisha Garner (Austin), (Jennifer)- Kyle Tate, Chase Rossum, Cameron Tate, (Debra)- Christian Tree, Kylan Tree, Taygen Tree, and her great-grandchildren, Neveah, Brylee, Jackson, and RJ.

Barbara did not want people to mourn her death at her time of passing, but to celebrate her life and the new beginnings on her journey. The last admonition that Barbara gave in her autobiography was to, “Trust the Lord, Learn to recognize and heed spiritual promptings, focus on the fundamentals, stand firm in the faith, be patient, adopt the eternal perspective, keep the commandments, know the church is true, live life to the fullest, make your dreams come true, believe in yourself, and be happy.” Her final summation of her life was, “Did I really choose this? You better believe it!”

If you would like to honor Barbara and celebrate her life, you are warmly welcome to join us.

Viewings will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the night of Friday, July 22, 2022 at the Larkin Sunset Gardens located at 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT and at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Genesis Building) located at 275 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT, on the morning of Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 10:00 am to 10:45 am prior to the services.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Genesis Building), 275 E 10600 S, Sandy UT, on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Graveside services will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The services will be streamed online. For more information, please visit www.larkincares.com.