I just got back from Utah after a week long visit to attend my Grandpa Barben's funeral. He passed away at the age of 96, while staying at my moms house. The funeral was so uplifting and sweet. I absolutely love, admire and adore my Grandpa. Over his lifetime he contributed $16 million dollars to the church and its' universities. He served in the church as a Bishop, Stake President, Mission President for the Anchorage Alaska Mission, Temple Sealer and Stake Patriarch. He gave me and most of my cousins their patriarchal blessings and performed the sealing for most of our temple marriages. He played tennis into his 80's and always had a quick wit. The last few years he has rotated living with his daughters for a few months at a time. We were lucky enough to be living with my parents while he was there and had the greatest time talking and laughing with him. He and Kennedy had a cute relationship and she loved him so much! She even still impersonates him when she is at the dinner table and says "yum yum yum". I am so glad I had the blessing to get to have him as my Grandpa. To read more about him you can read an article from BYU magazine and refer to the section titled "Scrimping, Saving and Consecrating" http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1562
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Celebrating a Wonderful Life
I just got back from Utah after a week long visit to attend my Grandpa Barben's funeral. He passed away at the age of 96, while staying at my moms house. The funeral was so uplifting and sweet. I absolutely love, admire and adore my Grandpa. Over his lifetime he contributed $16 million dollars to the church and its' universities. He served in the church as a Bishop, Stake President, Mission President for the Anchorage Alaska Mission, Temple Sealer and Stake Patriarch. He gave me and most of my cousins their patriarchal blessings and performed the sealing for most of our temple marriages. He played tennis into his 80's and always had a quick wit. The last few years he has rotated living with his daughters for a few months at a time. We were lucky enough to be living with my parents while he was there and had the greatest time talking and laughing with him. He and Kennedy had a cute relationship and she loved him so much! She even still impersonates him when she is at the dinner table and says "yum yum yum". I am so glad I had the blessing to get to have him as my Grandpa. To read more about him you can read an article from BYU magazine and refer to the section titled "Scrimping, Saving and Consecrating" http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1562
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7 comments:
what a handsome man with a catching smile. it sounds like he is something else!
I'm sorry for your "loss" Summer. I'm sure you are finding peace in knowing you'll reunite with him one day. What a wonderful man.
I'd love to see some pics of him and Ken together.
How sweet. Sorry for your loss. It is somehow not as hard when someone passes who has lived a good life. Sounds like such a sweetheart.
what a great tribute and what a great picture!
I love that picture of your Grandpa. He sounds like an amazing human being. Glad you were able to spend some time with him. It's always bitter sweet to have family gatherings like that.
Thanks for the wonderful tribute. I love the picture. Where did you find it?
I remember the last time that I saw him was... actually the last few times I saw him.. they were all the same place.. The Jordan River Temple. He was such a great example of true belief in the gospel. Louie and I had a nice talk with him and I am thankful that I knew him. Even with all his grandkids , he still knew who I was. I also will never forget when we all went to California. He is a great man.
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