Barara Kathryn Olsen Tate May 30, 1944 ~ July 10, 2022

Barbara Kathryn Olsen Tate, an elect lady, left us on the morning of Sunday, July 10, 2022. Barbara, 78, was born in Boise, ID on May 30, 1944 and five days after was adopted by her parents, Charles Gentry Olsen and Ila Nash Olsen. Barbara lived the majority of her youth in Twin Falls, ID.
Barbara was an exceptional scholar and active student at Twin Falls High School. She skied, was on the tennis team, was a leader in the Future Teachers of America club, was in Girls League, Pep Club, and was a Student Body Officer.
Barbara attended Utah State University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa, secretary of the Independent Student Council, Panhellenic President, and had a seat on the Student Senate.
She completed school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Education with a minor in English.
Shortly after college she took a teaching position at a startup, Business College in Alberta, Canada. While in Canada, she was able to go out with missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and share her testimony.
After returning home to Twin Falls, Barbara rekindled her relationship with Joel and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 29, 1967. Joel was Barbara’s soul mate
They moved to Midway, UT, where Barbara was recruited to teach English at Wasatch High School in Heber City.
Later they moved to Blanding, UT where Barbara obtained a position at San Juan High School teaching Business and Typing. She taught at San Juan High until 1976. Though Barbara didn’t go back to the teaching profession, she always continued to be a teacher.
Barbara took a position with the State of Utah at Job Service, where she organized workshops, excursions, trainings, and worked closely with the local chamber of commerce and local businesses to fulfill employment needs.
Eventually Barbara became the local manager of Job Service and then served as the manager of Workforce Services for several years after the State combined Job Service and Social Services.
As an active member in her community, she served as PTA president, on the USU/CEU Higher Education Advisory Council, on the Economic Development Board, on the San Juan Travel and Tourism Board, as president of the American Cancer Society local chapter, and on the City Chamber of Commerce. She also taught several classes at the local branch of CEU/USU.
Barbara served in several leadership positions and teaching positions in the church, including councilor in two Relief Society Presidencies, Primary President, and twice as a member of the Stake Relief Society Board.
She served as gospel instructor in the Relief Society and was a faithful visiting teacher and ministering sister for many years.
Barbara continued to minister to others until her passing. She often made and shared greeting cards to brighten someone’s day or offer comfort.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Gentry and Ila Nash Olsen, brother David Olsen (Gloria), and grandson Gentry Ian Horsely (Debra).
She is survived by her husband, Joel Richards Tate (80), children Robert Charles Tate (Kendra), Jennifer Tate Rossum (Dean), Joel Taylor Tate (Cynthia), and Debra Lynn Tate (Joe), as well as grandchildren (Robert)- Kelvin Tate, Ashley Tate, Keaton Tate (Lilly), Kaisha Garner (Austin), (Jennifer) Kyle Tate, Chase Rossum, Cameron Tate, (Debra) Christian Tree, Kylan Tree, Taygen Tree, and great-grandchildren, Neveah, Brylee, Jackson, and RJ.
Barbara’s final summation of her life was, “Did I really choose this? You better believe it!”