Barbara Ellen Christensen Leek, cherished wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, went to be with her Father in Heaven and her eternal sweetheart Feb 5, 2024. Barbara was born July 5, 1937 to Alma Ferron Christensen and Dorothy Lake in Castle Dale, Emery County, Utah.
Barbara had a strong love for and testimony of her Heavenly Father, which she shared with everyone who knew her. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Her greatest love was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Barbara was an artist in and out of her kitchen. Her homemade bread was a family favorite. She spent countless hours sewing quilts, dresses, dolls, and even rodeo queen shirts for her grandchildren, which will forever be cherished. She crocheted Afghans and doilies and shared them with those that she loved. Her love for her family can be seen in her scrapbooks full of pictures and newspaper clippings of her family. Her hope chest is full of artwork from her children and grandchildren. Barbara had a love for honoring those who had passed before her and kept family history records among her cherished possessions. Barbara’s resiliency and faith were undeniable. She worked many different professions led entirely by her heart, in which she always seemed to touch others. Even in her final stages of life, she moved others with her beautiful spirit.
Barbara married Samuel Leek on August 2, 1958. They were later sealed for all time and eternity in the Manti Utah Temple on August 2, 2008, which was their 50th wedding anniversary. Samuel and Barbara were blessed with, and survived by six children: Bryan Clint Leek (Marge) of Midvale, Utah, Debora Emmett (Craig) of West Jordan, Utah, Cathleen Rudman (Mark) of Cleveland, Utah, Samuel Chad Leek (Stephanie) of West Jordan, Utah, Carie Leek of Helper, Utah, Penie Kerr (Tony) of Merino, CO; along with their unofficially adopted sons, Kerry Tucker (Lisa) of Erda, Utah, and Bryan Jeweks of Helper, Utah.
Samuel and Barbara opened their hearts and home to many who became their children and grandchildren, becoming Grandma or Aunt Barbara to many not of blood but of love.
Barbara is survived by brothers and sisters, Shirley (Glen) Brady, Sondra Bills, Don (Joyce) Christensen, Bernell (George Ann) Christensen, Darwin (Elna) Christensen, Joyce (Mike) Wekluk; her beloved grandchildren, Bryan (BC) Leek (Adeccha) Jr., Jeff Tyler Leek, Travis Ray Emmett (Hannah), Amy Kathrine Emmett Burr (Tylor), Samantha Jo Rudman Atwood (Derrick Dean), Victoria Robyn Rudman Tennant (Bret James), Markie Danielle Rudman Vetere (Mitchell Blair), Cody Edward Rudman, Nastassia Leek (Jeremy Herrera), Jacob Daniel Hyden (Chelsea May Bracken), Nicole ReVoe Hyden, Jamie Rae Jewkes Munsell (Trevor), James Robert Jewkes (Shari Ann Tuckett), Jacob Allen Jewkes, Jonathan Chad Jewkes, Tyler G. Auberger, Ashlee Marie Dawn Kerr, Cal Aron Kerr, Dakota Allen Kerr (Kya Thacker), Kayla Thressa Marick (Trent), Michael Cleade Auberger, Brittney Ann Kerr (Kasen); great-grandchildren, Zander Leek, Mason Farnsworth, Ryder James Emmett, Mia Marie Emmett, Timothy Wallace Burr, MariJo Ellen Atwood, Samuel Ron Dean Atwood, Archer Y. Ridge Atwood, Athena Kaye Atwood, Titan Ace Atwood, Brayden Lee Tennant, Jaxton James Tennant, Kashe Mark Tennant, Lincoln Victor Tennant, Brinlee Hoyt, Easton Herrera, Lucy May Bracken, Cuffdyn Ike Munsell, Kenzie Dawn Munsell, Lilly Joy Munsell, Tanor Philip Marick, Gunnar Van Alfen; along with many other nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her husband and eternal companion, Samuel Leek; her parents; brother, Jerry Christensen; two sisters, Betty Lou Christensen, Louise Christensen.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff and nurses at Pinnacle Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their love and care during the final chapter of Barbara’s life.
Funeral service, Saturday, February 10, 2024, 12:00 noon, Scofield Branch Chapel. The family will receive friends Friday evening at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street, Price, Utah 84501) from 6-7:00 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment, Scofield Town Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Barbara online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.