Barbara Thompson Dowdle

Barbara passed quickly on March 17, 2025, from this mortal journey to join her husband Jack, daughter Karen, and other loved ones into the next life. Barbara was the daughter of George Marritt Thompson and Ronelda Mae Robinson, and lived in the Ogden, Utah area. In June 1944, George Thompson moved his family, including Barbara, Sherry, Carol and baby brother Jim, to Nampa, Idaho, where he was fortunate to find work during the Depression and WWII years.

Barbara worked hard and did well during high school. She played her accordion and taught music lessons during school; graduating from Nampa High School in 1950. She attended Boise Junior College, working and taking classes in sewing and art.

Barbara met the bishop’s son, Jack William Dowdle, at a dance in the Nampa 1st Ward. She even played her accordion at Jack’s mission farewell. After Jack’s mission, they dated off and on for over a year. On March 17, 1951, Jack and Barbara became engaged. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple August 15, 1951, by Elder Ezra Taft Benson. Their life together would prove to be interesting after their reception August 17th and honeymoon afterward. Their schooling continued at BYU in Provo, Utah, Jack studying Industrial Arts, and Barbara in art classes and work.

Barbara’s time in college was shortened with the coming of baby Deon. Then Karen was next. Jack graduated from BYU in 1954 and the family moved to Boise, Idaho. He was building some houses when a call came to serve in the Labor Missionary Department to the Tongan Islands. The family of four were set apart by Elder LeGrand Richards in November 1955. They started a very unique mission in January 1956, working, and building, and loving the Tongan people until 1959. Their 3rd child, Moana, was born in Tonga.

Life began again in the states with the addition of Chris and Danielle in Boise, Idaho, building homes, and raising a family on an acreage in Meridian. Life was interrupted with a slow housing market and subsequent work in Viet Nam during the years of 1966 to 1970. Kevin was also added to the family where Barbara and six children learned self-reliance, gardening, and thrift.

Another challenge began in 1973 with Karen’s auto accident, and for nearly 39 years, Barbara was the primary caretaker until Karen’s death in 2011. The birth of Sara in 1973 provided Barbara with a sense of solace and comfort during that difficult season.

After Jack’s passing in January 2017, Barbara carried on with her artwork, family history books, and finally graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from BYU, 40 years later!

Barbara is survived by children Deon Quitberg (Kevin), Moana Patterson (Max), Chris Dowdle, Danielle Willden (Mark), Kevin Dowdle (Linda), and Sara Smith (Chris). Included are 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren plus 2 great-grandchildren on the way.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at the Orchard 10th Ward Building, 55 East 350 North, North Salt Lake, Utah 84054. Viewing time will be at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery following the service.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream begins 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.