Barbara Thompson

Barbara Kay Thompson 69, of Victor, Idaho passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017 in Teton Valley Hospital in Driggs, Idaho after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was surrounded by her family and grandchildren and was served with kindness by the hospital staff.

Barbara was born May 27, 1948 in Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho to Darrel J.  and Verna May Bates Nef.  Two weeks after her birth her family moved to a ranch in Leadore near Salmon, Idaho.  She grew up on the ranch cooking for hired men, harvesting hay, and moving sheep camps for the neighbors.  She graduated from Leadore High in 1967 as valedictorian and had scholarships to Ricks College and Brigham Young University where she graduated with honors in Business Education in 1971.  She taught high school for one year in Snowflake, AZ and was then employed as a personal secretary to Edward Hitchcock of Edward Oldsmobile in Phoenix, AZ.

She met her husband Grant Leland Thompson in April 1973 and was married September 6, 1973 in the Salt Lake LDS temple.  They were married 44 wonderful years, raising two sons and two daughters and twelve grandchildren.  They lived in Terreton, Snake River, and Victor, Idaho.  She enjoyed the outdoors and loved spending time with her family in the mountains.  She served as a librarian for 15 years with some wonderful people in the Valley of the Tetons library in Victor, which she enjoyed very much.  She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in many callings including Primary President, Relief Society President, and working as a Cub Scout leader for many years where she was awarded the prestigious ‘Silver Beaver Award’ by the Boy Scouts of America.

Barbara is survived by her husband Grant, her sons Travis (Jaime) of Boise, LeGrand (Abbie) of Rigby, her daughters Kristy (Cade) Jacobs and Gina (Tony) Orduno also of Victor, twelve grandchildren, her mother Verna (Darrell) Nef, her sisters Myra (Delaine) Bowen and Sharal (Merrill) Beyeler, and her brothers Mike (Karla) and Tony (Michelle) Nef, all of whom she loved very much and of whom loved her very much in return.  She was preceded in death by her son Justin and her father Darrell.    She was a servant to all, never expecting anything in return.  Her treasures were her many friends and family, and she will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Victor LDS chapel with Bishop Val Kunz conducting.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM.  Burial will be at the Bates Cemetery under the direction of Valley Mortuary in Driggs, Idaho.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.valleymortuarydriggs.com