Barbara Jenks

Barbara (Smith) Jenks, 87, passed away April 13, 2021 of natural causes just 9 days short of her 88th birthday. She was born at home in Draper, Utah, April 22, 1933. She was the seventh of 8 children born to Archibald Smith and Bertha Lovina Crane Smith. She lived all her childhood in Draper, Utah, where she attended grade school and high school.

She married Virgil Lee Jenks on August 24, 1950 in the Logan LDS Temple. Barbara sent her new husband off to Korea just 6 months later and spent the next two years learning to be a war wife. When Virgil returned home in 1952, Barbara and Virgil continued their lifelong love affair. They eventually bought a new house in Murray, Utah and started their family there. Four children blessed the family within 3 years.

As the family grew so did the desire to be out of the city. They moved to Wendell, Idaho in 1959 and began life as a farming and dairy family. After a couple of moves the family settled on the farm south of Wendell off the Bob Barton Highway. Three more children were added to the family during this time. Barbara worked at home, and boned fish at the fish hatchery. They built a new house on the farm and increased the farm from 80 acres to 200 acres.

Lifelong members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Barbara was always active in church, serving in the Primary, Relief Society, Young Women’s and 25 years in Scouting, earning the district Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver awards. She also served as Stake Primary President. She served a full-time proselytizing mission for The Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

When Virgil passed away, Barbara had a new house built in town and moved from the farm. She lived in her little home in Wendell until her passing. She loved to paint, puzzle, fish, garden, travel, temple work, family history, scrap booking, taking pictures and being with her family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Lee Jenks; her parents; sisters, Wilma Richins and Clara Stephenson; brothers, Calvin Crane, Murray William and Joseph Milton; and great grandson, Stryder Hansen Jenks.

Barbara is survived by her brothers, Lynn Crane (Jean H.) Smith and Ray Lucius Smith; her sisters-in-law, Jean H. (Lynn) Smith and Gloria Fay (Mirl D.) Jenks; children: Kevin Lee (Shannon) Jenks, Carol (John O.) Elliott, Charlene (Blake) Poulsen, Gary Blaine (Vicky) Jenks, Dallas Eugene (DeeAnne) Jenks, Shauna (Raymond) Reeder and Susan (Mark A.) Werlinger; 30 grandchildren, 86 great grandchildren; hundreds of nieces and nephews; as well as her special friend and neighbor, Joni Porter; and her many other friends and her home evening group.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm, Friday, April 16, 2021, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wendell 2nd Ward, 605 Idaho St N, Wendell, Idaho.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wendell 2nd Ward, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am. Grave dedication will conclude at Wendell Cemetery, 37 Nampa St, Wendell

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Barbara’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.