Barbara Joan Baldwin Ekker

By By

HANKSVILLE – Barbara Joan Baldwin Ekker, age 90, died on Oct. 6, 2013 at her home in Hanksville after a long illness.
She was born on Dec. 29, 1933 in Fruita, Colo., to Lillian Falconer and Virgil Baldwin. Barbara’s mother died when Barbara was only three years old and her aunt Helen Falconer, moved in with them and raised Barbara and her sister Bonnie until Barbara was in junior high school and Helen’s health failed.
The family moved to Green River where Barbara and Bonnie attended school and Virgil owned and operated the Midland Garage. Barbara graduated from Green River High School in 1952 as Valedictorian. She later attended the University of Utah for two years. Barbara married Jesse Gibbons Ekker on July 13, 1954 in Price. They were the parents of seven children. Barbara was the weather person for Hanksville for 40 years. She was an election judge, substitute teacher, town board member, EMT, town historian, writer/reporter for the Richfield Reaper, Sun Advocate, Times Independent and the Salt Lake Tribune, Ekker Family Geneologist and was the general pillar of Hanksville life for all the years she lived there.
Barbara is survived by her children Neva (Ben) Pace, Loa; Rita (James) Lewis, Hanksville; Sybil (James) Middleton, Niceville, Fla.; Justin (Kayla), Hanksville; Jodi (Alan) Walker, Kearns; Jason (Stacie), Teasdale; and Cameron (Michaelene), Superior, Wyo.; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jess, aunt Helen and sister Bonnie Warrington.
Graveside services were held on Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. in Hanksville.