Barbara Hallstrom

Barbara Houston Hallstrom, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 26, 2023. 

Barbara was born on March 22, 1941, as the only child of William and Armetta Dean Houston. Raised in El Centro, California, she enjoyed riding horses, listening to baseball games on the radio with her dad, and spending time with her grandmother Zora. After high school graduation, she moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University. Although her father was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Barbara had not been raised in the church. After arriving at BYU, Barbara was eager to be baptized and spent the rest of her life as a faithful Latter-day Saint.

Barbara met Stephen Hallstrom, a coworker at the Salt Lake City Library, in 1964. They fell in love and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 16, 1965. She was a devoted wife, partner, and friend to Steve, who died in 2011. She has been anticipating their reunion for many years.

Barbara and Steve raised three children, Nina Rochelle, Forrest, and Mindy. Barbara did all she could to provide her children with a sense of love and stability throughout their childhoods. She was a talented baker, a gospel teacher, and a voracious reader who instilled a love of learning that has been passed down to her posterity. Her eight grandchildren were the delight of her life, and she never missed an opportunity to share their accomplishments with visitors and friends.

In her later years, Barbara attended Weber State University to study gerontology and began a career providing care for people with Alzheimer’s. She loved the elderly population and enjoyed discovering creative new ways to make their lives a little brighter. She also found a great deal of satisfaction serving as a temple worker at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. 

In 2015, Barbara suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed on one side and requiring care that could only be provided in a rehabilitation center. Although the stroke affected her ability to speak, her mind remained sharp. Over the past eight years, she has endured these limitations with dignity and grace. Her children and grandchildren will never forget her example of patience and faithfulness in the face of difficult trials. The family also extends appreciation to the staff at Copper Ridge Health Care.

Barbara is survived by her children Nina Rochelle, Forrest (Angela), and Mindy (Peter); and her grandchildren Ethan, Elise, Jonas, Isabella, Ayva, Lillian, and Enzo. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stephen, and her precious grandson, Wyatt. 

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3rd, at West Jordan City Cemetery, 7925 S. 1300 W., West Jordan, Utah.