Ilamae Barker

 Ilamae Hansen Barker passed away June 26, 2024, in Orem, at the age of 93 having gracefully suffered the indignities of Parkinson’s disease for many years. She was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, on February 20, 1931, to loving parents, Reuben Louis Hansen and Verna Mae Garner. As far back as she can remember she loved to read. She loved attending school, and her earliest prized possession was her library card which opened up the whole world to her. After falling in love with reading, she discovered the joy of music. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1949, participating as a member of the Swimming Guild, the Latin Guild, and as a journalism contributor in “News Notes” for the Ogden Standard Examiner.

She attended Weber College and the University of Utah, and while traveling and touring in music groups on behalf of the University, she met the love of her life, Richard Ellis Barker. It was on this tour that she acquired the nickname of “Fifi” which came from the abbreviation from countless teasing calls for "Fire, Fire!" The name just stuck, and she took to it with her whole heart, as strongly as her given name, and is more well known as Aunt Fifi or Grandma Fifi by most of her family, and as “Feef” to many of her friends.

Richard and Ilamae married on June 15, 1954. Part of their first years together were spent in Augusta, Georgia, in the Army where she gave birth to her first son, David. They soon returned to Utah where she taught English in both the Granite and Provo school districts. She also taught remedial reading privately to dozens of students for many years.

If you happened to obtain a marriage license in Utah County sometime between 1974 and 1999, Ilamae most likely issued it to you at the Utah County Clerk’s Office. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served diligently in many positions. She and Richard served a full-time mission at the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah. During most of her life, in matters of faith, she would rather sing in a church meeting instead of giving a talk, and found it easiest to express her faith, hope and witness of the Living God and His Christ through song.

She sang for three decades as the Soprano with a vocal trio, “Just Friends,” with her beloved friends (all of whom have preceded her in death): Marilyn Christensen, Thelma Richins, and Marilyn Mansfield. She was also a great listener. She rarely rendered judgments but always extended possibilities. She was loved for this amazing quality. She was the consummate hostess and especially loved to host, cook for, and serve countless family gatherings which created lasting memories for everyone involved. Ilamae and Richard enjoyed traveling the world together, visiting many destinations across North America from New England to Alaska as well as beautiful locations in the Caribbean and Europe.

She was preceded in death by her older brother Clair Lamont Hansen who died in infancy. She is survived by her two younger brothers, Devere Hansen (the late Carol Kissel) and Lamar Hansen (Elaine Ralph), both of whose love has always been a sustaining influence.

She is survived by her four children: David Ellis Barker (Karen Weed), Alan Jay Barker, (Anne Davis), Lynette Barker Ballard (Craig Ballard), and Reid Louis Barker (Linda Erickson); along with 15 grandkids and 28 great-grandchildren (including Rosemary Heiner who is deceased); and many loving nieces and nephews.

Viewing/visiting hours will be held on July 5th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the LDS Church located at 500 South 600 West in Orem, Utah. Funeral services will follow at Noon. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery. Her family expresses particular thanks to Renew Home Health and Hospice, and to the loving staff of Covington Senior Living of Orem, Utah. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend the services they will be streamed starting at Noon on Friday, July 5, 2024, via Facebook Live at the following link:https://www.facebook.com/sundbergolpinfuneralhome

Part 2 link is https://www.facebook.com/share/v/fQgvvQzvirrYyac2/