Kamryn's Job at the Bowers Mansion

When Kamryn moved to Reno with her family in 2014, she thought it was so cool that there was a mansion named the Bowers Mansion.  She even had one of her birthday parties there.  Now she is working as a lifeguard at Bowers Mansion.  Skyler and her friend went swimming at Bower's Mansion, and Kamryn got to watch them swim.  It was fun for Skyler and for Kamryn.

 

Beautiful granddaughters.  What a blessing!

Pleasant View 10th Ward Lunch Club

Our ward started a lunch club.  Several of the ladies in the ward signed up.  Our first lunch was at the Greenery Restaurant at the mouth of Ogden Canyon.  Only 6 of us got together this time, which was just right to visit and enjoy our lunch.  We made a quick trip through the gift shop after lunch before we headed home.

Donna Barker's Funeral

On Monday, July 22, 2023, Donna Barker was laid to rest.   The funeral Service was very nice.  Donna was so loved.

Donna Barker Passed Away...

Our sweet friend Donna Barker passed away on July 13, 2024.  We sure will miss her.  She was an elect lady and one of the most Christlike examples I have ever known.  She endured many health trials in her life and many losses and she continued to bless the lives of all those who knew her.

Donna Valine Aardema Barker

September 26, 1935 — July 13, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Valine Aardema Barker on July 13, 2024. Donna was born to goodly parents, Paul and Valine Aardema, on September 26, 1935. She spent most of her life in Ogden, Utah. She lived a rich and fulfilling life characterized by love, dedication, and service to her family and community.

Donna was the beloved wife of the late Franklin Dee Cragun Barker, who passed away on April 28, 2014. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 13, 1954. Their marriage of over 59 years was a testament to their enduring love and partnership. Together, they built a life filled with cherished memories, love, and mutual respect. Since Dee’s passing in 2014, she longed to be reunited with him. Her children include Debbie (Curt) Keller, Mike Barker, John (Jeanine) Barker, Doug (Jill) Barker, Steve (Becky) Barker, Scott (Sayonara) Barker, Brent (DeAnn) Barker, and Daniel Barker.

She lived a life overflowing with service and devotion, with her family and her church at its heart. As a devoted mother, her greatest joy was raising her children to be kind, compassionate individuals. Her love and dedication grew even deeper with the birth of her youngest son, Daniel. His untimely passing broke her heart, yet she found strength in her faith and continued to honor his memory through her acts of kindness. Donna's selflessness extended far beyond her family; she touched countless lives through her service, including participating in at least three missions around the world. Her unwavering commitment to helping others left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Donna's life was a beautiful tapestry of devotion to her family. She is survived by her remaining 7 loving children, 29 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren, who were her pride and joy; and six siblings, Ralph (Sheila) Aardema, Artimesia Pearce, Kris (Larry) Cook, Marta Giles, Nada (Reed) Spencer, and Ida (Robert) Spencer, sister-in-law Kay Aardema. Donna's home was a place of warmth and welcome, where family gatherings were frequent and filled with laughter, love, and her delicious home-cooked meals.

A resident of Ogden for many years, Donna was deeply involved in her community. She was a dedicated volunteer, giving her time and energy to various causes and organizations. Her kindness, compassion, and willingness to help others made her a cherished member of the community. Donna's friends and neighbors will remember her as a pillar of strength and a source of unwavering support.

Donna had a passion for making things beautiful, especially in having a few pretty flowers to brighten her world. She enjoyed having a beautiful place for people to enjoy and to visit. She also enjoyed reading, cooking, and spending time with her family, who were the center of her world.

Her family and friends will forever remember Donna for her gentle spirit, strong will, and boundless love. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity that will continue to inspire those who knew her.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Dee; son, Daniel; granddaughters, Lindsey Barker and Ashlynn Barker; great-grandchildren, Lily Keller, William Barker, and Isaac Barker; and siblings, sister, DeLeuw Estes; brother, Paul Aardema; and three brothers-in-law, Richard Estes, Robert Pearce, and Lawrence Giles. 

Memorial services for Donna will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary, Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

Donna will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her loved ones and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

45th Annual Lindquist Family Summer Pops Concert and Fireworks!

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, Keith and I attended the Weber State/Lindquist Family 45th Annual Summer Pops Concert and Fireworks Show.  The New American Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wasatch Cannoneers of the Wasatch were absolutely amazing.  The weather was perfect and the fireworks can't be beat!  Such a fun evening with friends!

I could get used to being a VIP!  Weber State takes good care of their retirees.

Skyler's Soccer Season

Skyler played soccer this spring.  I don't think this is her sport.  She had more fun playing on the sideline with her teammates than she did playing the game.  One minute, she said she loved soccer.  The next she said she hated soccer.  I am not sure if she will play next year.  All I know is she sure looked cute in her soccer outfit.

Visit from the Reno Grands, Fourth of July, and other ramblings...

On July 1, 2024, Jamie, Kamryn, Alexis, Skyler, and Chance came to stay.  They arrived just in time to drop off Jamie at her hair appointment in South Ogden.  The girls got their things settled in.  We visited for a little bit, then the older girls picked up Jamie in South Ogden while we put Skyler down for bed.  

Grandpa and I colored with Skyler.  Skyler laughed so hard when Grandpa drew a picture of her.  She said no way would she hang it on her refrigerator.  It was a dusey!

On July 2, 2024,  we hung out at the house until everyone got ready for the day.  Jamie and the girls went to Waffle Love for Breakfast.  Later that day,  Jamie and Keith went to visit Eva for a while.  I made spaghetti for dinner.   Later on we went to Deseret Book to get discount tickets for Lagoon, and we stopped at Farr's for ice cream.  Keith kept an eye on Skyler while we went.

We watched a couple of scary movies and then went to bed.

On July 3, Jamie and the girls went shopping at the Layton Hills Mall.  Jamie got supplies to work on our front porch bench.  I made Cafe Rio salads for dinner and we watched a movie.

On the 4th of July, I got up early and started getting things ready for the party.  I brought in chairs, cleaned off the tables, and put tablecloths on the tables.  The Bowers called and said they were coming as well, so I made a run to the store to get more burgers and buns.  And I stopped at Zeppes and got shaved ice for later.

Dusty and the boys went golfing.  They came up around 3:00.  They helped Keith in the yard with some hanging branches and dead branches on the waterfall.  They ran to get drinks and fireworks.  We got the food ready for the party.  Everyone came over at five thirty for dinner.  Dinner was wonderful.  We had Italian Ice for dessert.

LaRee and Kevin, Bob and LeeAnn left.  We set up chairs out front and the kids started shooting off fireworks and sparklers.

As always, we had chocolate and red licorice, and salt water taffy and we watched the fireworks show.  It was awesome as always.  This year we could see all over and there were many people shooting off fireworks around us.

On July 5, 2024, I got up early and started making hoagie sandwiches for the kids to take to Lagoon.  We packed salads, chips, and all kinds of stuff for them.  Food at Lagoon is expensive, so I bought 

lots of fruit and goodies for them to take.

I made muffins and scrambled eggs for breakfast.  After everyone left, I cleaned up and mopped the floor from the night before, and did some laundry.  Jamie and the girls got home around 11:00 that evening.  They had a blast at Lagoon.  Little girl stayed the night at the Olson's.  

Saturday Jamie and the girls went to Jeremiah's for breakfast while Keith and I kept Skyler.  Then they loaded up and went to the Bowers for the day.  We got caught up on a few things and then that evening, we went to the Olson's for a pizza party.  Dusty and Jamie got Kevin and LaRee a pizza oven for Father's Day.  We tried it out.  It was delicious.  I was enjoying myself and I forgot to take many pictures.  We did get a group picture and a picture with Dusty and Skyler.

We enjoyed our evening at the Olson's.  Dusty, the boys, and Alexis went home on Sunday, and Jamie, Kamryn and Skyler returned to our house on Sunday morning.  They got showered and went to Jeremiah's for breakfast.  Then Jamie came home and she and Kamryn started sanding the porch bench.

Later that evening, Jamie and Kamryn left.  Kamryn dropped Jamie off to visit with her friends Ashlee and Denise and have dinner with them and Kamryn and her friend Lilly had dinner at the Olive Garden.  Keith, Skyler and I had Zeppes and watched a show.

Monday morning, Jamie got up and went to breakfast with Tana May and Heather Hurst.  They went to scrambled in Layton.  We made breakfast for us and Kamryn and Skyler.  I took Skyler to the park at 8:30.  We only stayed an hour.  It was so hot already!  Jamie came home and took a nap.  Later that afternoon, she started painting the bench.  I made several runs to Home Depot to exchange spray paint - we had several cans that didn't spray.  

Tuesday morning, Jamie made us German pancakes.  We had breakfast and then she worked on the bench a little bit.  She met her friend Crystal's daughter and took her some baby things that she brought.    We went to Costco and got some groceries and then little girl and I made cookies when we got home. Jamie finished the bench a little later in the evening and I made Chick-Fil-A nuggets for dinner.  We visited and went to bed.

Jamie and Kamryn got ready to go to the Noah Kahn concert in SLC.  They stayed in Bountiful at the Olson's for the night.  We watched Skyler.  I met Jamie and Kamryn in the morning at Sodalicious in Layton.  Then they took off for home to Reno.  It was a fun trip, but we were exhausted.  I spent Wednesday cleaning bathrooms and doing laundry.  Thursday I vacuumed and Keith mopped.  We put the house back together.