DeAnn Barton

DeAnn Atkinson Barton, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, finished a life of love, devotion, and service to family, friends, and church on May 8, 2018. She is free of pain and is in the arms of God and her loving family beyond the veil.

She was born on October 20, 1932 in Lehi, Utah and was the first of four daughters of James Rudy and Blanche Loretta Webb Atkinson.

DeAnn was a natural born leader, wise and mature beyond her years. She had great compassion and empathy for people and wanted to help them enjoy and improve their lives. She began a lifetime of service in her youth. While her mother taught piano lessons, she cleaned their home, watched after her sisters, and prepared food for her family. By the time she was ten years old, she started a tradition of fixing Sunday breakfast for the family.

She attended East High School where she joined the ROTC Sponsor Corps. There she met a handsome young officer by the name of William R. Barton (Bill), who taught her how to shoot a rifle. She joined the Rifle Club and entered many regional sharpshooting competitions. Much to the delight of her father, she won many medals and out-shot her future husband, Bill. She achieved the level of Marksman. Following her graduation from East High in 1949, she attended the University of Utah where she studied art, accounting, and bookkeeping. DeAnn and Bill were married on March 20, 1952 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

As their family grew, she continued to develop her artistic talents through nontraditional media, interior design, sewing, gardening, and cooking. A faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she loved serving God and accepted callings to serve in the Relief Society Presidency, teach in the Primary, and serve as a Den Mother in Boy Scouts. She lent her talents to many roadshows, dances, and other social activities with the adult members.

DeAnn was a descendant of the Utah Pioneers and joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Society. She served as Captain of the Ann Briggs Camp and actively promoted the organization and encouraged women to join and learn more about their own pioneer heritage.

She and Bill built an apartment business where she worked as the property manager for more than thirty years, collecting rent and making repairs to the units. She was never afraid to take on a project and was always ready to solve any problem.

Above all, she loved her family and always put them first. Through the years, she supported her children and grandchildren as they developed their interests and worked through many of life’s most difficult trials and tribulations. She instinctively included their friends in activities. She became “Mama Bear” and “Grandma” to many children and teens in the neighborhood – and she loved it! She fed them, listened to them, and enjoyed doing things for them.

DeAnn loved to travel, explore new places, and learn about different cultures. She and Bill traveled around the world, including Egypt, China, Russia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and countless places in the United States. She always returned with suitcases packed full of treasures – art, collectibles, and tee shirts for the family. She was always excited to share her experiences and cooked family dinners with exotic dishes she discovered in her travels.

She and Bill also enjoyed boating, water skiing, and camping. Together they entertained and taught countless family members and friends to water ski and how to drive the family boat.

DeAnn is survived by her husband; daughters, Debra Nordfelt and Teri (Robert) Shaw; son, Dave (Anne) Barton; daughter-in-law, Karen Barton; sisters, Barbara Bohne, Kay (Robert) King, Carol (Ted) Hallen; 9 grandchildren, 6.9 great-grandchildren (# 7 to be born soon), many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, beloved friends, and neighbors. She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, James Riddell Barton; and grandsons, James William Barton and Michael Barton Nordfelt.

We will celebrate her life and legacy on May 17, 2018 at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel at 165 S 1000 E in Bountiful. Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing prior to the service at the LDS chapel from 9:45-10:45 AM. There will also be a viewing on May 16, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Russon Mortuary in Bountiful.