Barbara Lou Badger McKeown

1947 ~ 2021

Viewing:

Sept. 3, 2021
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bonneville Stake Center, 1535 Bonneview Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Directions to Viewing
  • Service:

    Sept. 4, 2021
    12:00 PM
    Bonneville Stake Center, 1535 Bonneview Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Directions to Service
  • Barbara Lou Badger McKeown, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on August 25, 2021. Hers was a life of generosity, compassion, quiet acts of service, family, and optimism. Barb sought light and truth. She loved the Lord and taught her children to walk in the light of His love. As a faithful lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she ministered wherever she was called to serve, including leadership and teaching positions in Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. She loved serving alongside her husband in a student ward at the U of U, in inner-city Washington, D.C., and in the Salt Lake Central Stake; and she always went above and beyond to fulfill every calling. She recognized God’s hand in her own life and bore this testimony through her beautiful artwork, her kindness, and her original music. Over her lifetime she composed dozens of songs—full musicals about Shakespeare and the Olympics, songs celebrating family milestones such as missions and weddings, and inspired hymns of faith and devotion. She touched countless lives through her thoughtful words, her homemade treats, and her beautiful smile. She brought joy to others.

    Barb was born to loving parents, Briant G. and Wanda W. Badger, on January 30, 1947, the second child in a family of nine dear siblings, and she frequently spoke of the wonderful childhood she enjoyed. She dreamed of teaching and spent years practicing on her younger brothers and sisters. A bona fide teaching job in Washington, D.C., led her to her devoted husband, Rich McKeown. They were married August 5, 1971, and sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. She was so grateful for, and proud of, her children, Morgan, Sean, Brock, Erin, and Connor, with whom they’ve shared their life’s adventures over the last 50 years. She absolutely adored her grandchildren, upon whom she showered her affection. She loved life and observed every occasion with her family through memorable celebrations, fun trips, special gifts, and heartfelt notes.

    She passed away surrounded by her loved ones on August 25, 2021, the result of a debilitating stroke she suffered on August 17. At her passing, she was reunited with her dear parents, and brothers, Stephen and David, along with countless friends and family. She leaves behind her most valued treasures: her husband Rich; beloved children and precious grandchildren—Morgan and Sarah (Coby, Charlotte, James, Peter); Sean and Amanda (Henry, Teddy); Brock and Lisa (Blake, Macey, Dylan); Erin (Ginger, Corban, Simon, Daisy); and Connor and Katie (Emmeline, Oliver). Also survived by loving siblings Becky Harding, Bri and Cindy Badger, Bill and Cindy Badger, Mary Jane Badger, Rob and Annette Badger, John and Chaconne Badger, Sandra (Stephen) Badger, and Eva (David Badger) Doolin, and dozens of adoring nieces and nephews.

    We love you, dear wife, dear mother and grandmother, and dear sister! You have left us a legacy of faith, love, and dedication that will carry on through your posterity.

    Because construction around the Salt Lake Central Stake Center limits parking, all services will be held at the Bonneville Stake Center, 1535 Bonneview Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah. To comply with Church and City guidelines and to invite an environment of safety for all who choose to attend, we encourage vaccination, the wearing of masks and appropriate social distancing.

    A viewing will be held in the Bonneville Stake Center Cultural Hall Friday evening, September 3, from 6 – 8 p.m.

    Funeral services will begin at 12 noon at the Bonneville Stake Center on Saturday, September 4.

    Services were previously recorded and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/sOybYMrTZG0

    In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Utah Refugee Justice League in Barb’s name: contact@refugeejustice.org



    Guestbook/Condolences

    Rich We am so sorry to hear this. We love you and your family. Our sympathies.
    Sue and Randy Skanchy


    - Randall Skanchy

    So very sorry to learn of Barb's passing...
    So many treasured memories of the Badgers/ McKeown's.
    So many wishes for your future as family.

    Dick


    - richard warner

    Oh Mo, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I truly loved her and appreciate the influence she had in my life as my young women's leader and friend. I am so shocked and saddened to hear this news. Love to all of you.


    - Heather Foley DelHoyo

    Brent and I are so sorry for the passing of my dear friend Barbara . We became good friends at Hillside Jr High through our years to graduation from Highland High School .After high school and college I saw less of Barbara as we were in different sororities and then we ALL started getting married . One of my favorite memories was coming to your home on Skyline Dr. When I would go home I was wishing I had as many siblings as Barbara had as my only sister and I were 11 years apart. ( I did end up having 5 children). Once in college we were in different sororities and we saw less of each other . But I have never forgotten that sweet soft voice and her cheerful personality .My name is Ruth Anne Ferguson (maiden ) name . ( I go by Anne now as everyone would always leave off Anne and call me " Ruth") . Brent and I send all our love and condolences to you and your families .
    Love , Anne and Brent Maxfield


    - Anne and Brent Maxfield

    We’re so sorry for Sister Mckeowns passing. She and President Mckeown both touched our life’s in significant and profound ways. Thank you for sharing your lives with those around you.


    - Kevin and Michelle Timm

    I send love & I wish peace for cousin Barbara's family & friends. You're one talented lady, Barbara. Tell Aunt Wanda Hi. Love and smiles from my family to yours.


    - John West

    Dear Rich and Family,. So sorry to hear of Barb's passing. She was such a sweetheart! It's sad for the world when kind , wonderful people like Barb leave it. But love never dies, so Barb will be with you always. My love and deep sympathy go out to all of you at this sad difficult time. Much love, Charsti


    - Charsti Merrill

    Barb has been a dear friend since we were in seventh grade at Hillside JR High. Her smile and kindness spread like sunshine wherever she was. She was a great friend to me as I cared for my ill husband for over a decade, and would regularly call me to see how I was doing, along with an update on my husband. We would have great talks and sometimes go to lunch , just to give me a break. Always putting others ahead of herself, was her style. She loved her husband, her children, and her fabulous grandchildren and would do anything for them. I am blessed to have known her for decades, learned much from her, and call her my friend. She is an eternal friend to so many. God has a glorious new angel who will brighten up heaven for all, and those family members and friends who preceded her will rejoice with her again. I love you Barb… till we meet again.

    Love,
    Kathy McNeil


    - Kathy McKean McNeil

    I am so grateful for the Badger family. I have such sweet memories of swinging on a rope swing over the creek at your cabin and playing at the the cabin in Alpine. I adored your mother and love you all.
    Todd and I are still in shock over Barbara’s stroke and passing. She is so vibrant and gracious and caring. Always quick to smile and make us feel welcome into her life and the event we happen to meet at. She seemed so invincible. Barbara made the world brighter and calmer wherever she was. We’re grateful for her presence in our lives. We love you Rich. We’re so sorry for your deep loss.
    Love Todd and Julie Kiser


    - Julie Kiser

    I am so sorry that I will be out of town this weekend - this is a double heart ache after missing Aunt Wanda's services.

    One of my earliest memories was being very upset about being separated from my family at a stake conference session. I vividly remember the comfort I felt when a beautiful girl put her arm around me and said, "It's okay, I'm your cousin and I'm a Barbara too".

    Praying for all close family and friends to find comfort while dealing with this heartbreaking separation.


    - Barbara West Jessee

    So sad to hear this! Barb was such a light to us all in what would become the DC 3rd Ward. She was always an example of Christ-like love to everyone who came into her orbit.


    - Kerry Harding

    Rich,
    We extend our deepest condolences to you and your family. God be with you and your family.
    Mike snd Carolyn


    - Mike and Carolyn Stransky

    Rich,
    Words cannot express our deepest sorrow for the loss of Barbara. We love her with all of our hearts!
    We have equal love for you too Rich!

    We are so grateful to know you both, and to have had the privilege of living in Bonneville 1st ward with you!
    Know that our hearts are broken for you, but so grateful we know the plan and Barb is near by.

    We love you and your family so much! Dan and Lis M.


    - Dan and Lis McConkie

    I will always remember the very first time I attended the SLC 13th Ward when Barb presented me with a small loaf of chocolate chip pumpkin bread. I soon realized that she gave a loaf to anyone who was new in the ward. She also wrote down their names and a description of that person so she would remember their names and who they were. She was a true example of the Savior's teachings and followed his example. We will miss her.


    - Myra Thornley

    The funeral service for Barbara was beautiful. She is so deserving o😃f all the kind words spoken about her.
    This funeral was so spiritual, and I was reminded to be more like the Savior, as Barbara was. We will continue remembering you and your family in our prayers.
    With love and sympathy,
    Carolyn and Wally Allred


    - Carolyn Allred

    Rich and family—we were so sorry to hear about Barb’s death. It was such a shock when we heard the news. We are out of town and unable to give you our condolences in person but we have you and your family in our thoughts as you celebrate her remarkable life. We know that the warmth of her memory will forever surround you and comfort you.


    - Palmer and Jeanne DePaulis

    Rich and family,
    We are sorry to hear of this beautiful woman's passing. You are in our prayers and thoughts as you navigate through this new and difficult time. May you feel the peace you need and have all the support to help in your unexpected and painful journey. We have so many fond memories of our time in the Bonneville ward and Stake.

    Morris and Elaine Told


    - Morris and Elaine Told

    My mother Venna Smith enjoyed visits from Barb while she was a widow. There must be special heavens for people like her.


    - Jan SmithPetty

    Ms. McKeown was my 2nd grade teacher at Uintah in 1997 and I still remember every word to our Shakespeare program (He was born in England in 1564!). She brought magic and delight to learning and I was so happy to be in her class. I am now a 2nd grade teacher in Salt Lake City School District and think of her so often because of that. I’m so sorry for your loss- know that Ms McKeown made a difference in my life!
    Liz Holloway


    - Elizabeth Holloway

    Dear President McKeown:

    I can't tell you how sorry I was to hear of your sweet wife's passing. I only met her once but she was clearly a loving daughter of our Heavenly Father. I know you may be feeling lost without her physical presence, but one thing I've learned over the last couple of years while fighting cancer for the 2nd time is that the veil is very thin and God has a plan for each of us. She is closer than you think. I'm not in the 10th Ward any longer or in the stake as I moved out-of-state, but I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and I'm grateful for all that you've done for me. Between you and Bishop Nicholaisen, I found my way back and my temple blessings were restored. I'm eternally grateful and send you all of my best thoughts and prayers.

    Kindest regards,
    Dora Miller


    - Dora Miller

    Dear Rich and family,
    I was so saddened to hear of Barb's passing. I got the news after her services were over. I wished I had known before hand so I could have attended and paid my respects to this amazing woman. She was so kind and loving to me especially after she found out about the passing of our daughter. She created a beautiful collage art piece for me that said "May you always have an angel by your side". I've treasured it, and even more so now. She was a wonderful hostess and I was delighted to attend a YW gathering at your place when we lived in the 12th Ward. Heaven shines a little brighter with her there and you will always have an angel by your side.
    With heartfelt sympathy and love,

    Leanne & Jeff Geigle


    - Leanne T Geigle

    Bishop McKeown and family,
    I recently learned that Barb passed away and I wanted to share my condolences, love, appreciation, and some of the blessings that I received from getting to know her. She was everything beautiful and a true "Sister in Christ". Thank you for the privilege to view the service and share in the memories and the many gifts and talents that she used to bless our lives. Barb found joy in the journey and she added to the joy of my journey. Because of our love for the Savior, we could always find common ground and connect. She knew how to minister to me. We served together in a church calling and in a community project, we met up in Salt Lake City, not planned, where we had lunch at her home, toured through the Relief Society building, talked and walked through the City Cemetery, and just simply had fun. On that great day, I continued to increase in my knowledge and understanding of the tapestry and interwoven power that comes from knowing the love of our Heavenly Father, the love and atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ, and the comforting and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, which is manifest most through the restored gospel, missionary work, pioneer heritage, and the gathering of Israel in these latter days, "they of the last wagon". It is a constant reminder of the "Hand of the Lord In Our Seasons", which was the title and message of the first talk that I gave in church where she was present. Barb later shared with me that her heart and spirit where touched from my message, especially as I closed with a quote about the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. If I recall properly, it was a quote of her great-great grandfather. Through the years of our ever changing lives, we continued to communicate and share birthday greetings and ocassional messages of encouragement and updates in our lives. I now realize that my last email exchange with Barb was about a week before she passed away, so I am even more grateful for what we shared in those messages. She will never be forgotten and we will meet again. Because of the embroidered temple envelope she gifted to me after receiving my temple endowments, her memory is always with me in the temple, which is weekly. Barb is now blessed to be in the presence of the Lord and with family and friends rejoicing and doing the Lord's work. Those prayer walks here on earth, where she was our intercessory prayer warrior are now being continued in heaven. Remember she loved unconditionally and even from above she sees you and meets you where you are. What we can do to celebrate her memory is to continue to love the Lord and each other, forgive and accept that we are forgiven, strive daily to do our best, trust and help others to do the same, and pray always. Love, Tammy💞


    - Tammy Holt