May 1, 1937 to January 20, 2023
Donna Hansen Barton, age 85, of Vernal, Utah, our dear mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother, teacher, and friend peacefully passed this life on Jan. 20, 2023, to reunite with her beloved husband, Jack, who passed just six weeks prior. They were married for 69 years and were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
She was born May 1, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first of three children to Don and Lucille Hansen. When she was five the family moved from Salt Lake to Fairview where Don purchased a farm. Donna always insisted she was both a city and country girl. She thrived in school, loved reading, riding horses, dancing, and spending time with her large, extended family. When just 16, she and Jack were married on Oct. 22, 1953. They raised eight children, Cindy, John, Lloyd, David, Donna Lisa (deceased), Sabra, Katy, and Ann (deceased) and two grandsons. They have a large family with over 100 descendants, all of whom she loved deeply and stayed in touch with via telephone.
She attended college at the University of Utah with four children and juggled family, work, and school graduating Cum Laude. She later earned two Master’s Degrees from Utah State University. She taught English and Speech and Drama for 37 years at Altamont High School and coached her students to many State Championships. She also taught part-time for Utah State University. Her teaching spanned over three generations. Thousands of students loved her, and many say she was their favorite teacher. She loved them all.
After retiring, Jack and Donna served a mission in Nauvoo, Illinois, and upon returning home they moved to Las Vegas where she could breathe easier. Two years ago, after 11 years she insisted they move to Vernal to be closer to family. There were no strangers in her life, just friends not yet met. She had a happy and joyful life regardless of her health struggles. Donna will be missed by many and would want all to joyfully remember her, rejoicing in reunion with husband, daughters, family, and friends in the well-earned rest of her beloved Father in Heaven.
Services will be on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at noon at the Altamont Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There will be a viewing on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary, 457 E. 300 N., Roosevelt, and on Saturday from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be in the Altamont Cemetery.
Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com.