Val Jean Holgate

Monroe, Utah - On January 9, 2022, our mother, Val Jean Barney Holgate, joined her eternal sweetheart, Donald A. Holgate in heaven. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Tish Jones, in Magnolia, Texas at the age of 85. Val Jean was born March 18 1936, in Elsinore, Utah, a daughter of Vernon and Pearl Yergensen Barney. She married Donald Alvin Holgate September 7, 1952 in Elsinore, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in May of 1953. Seven children were born from this Holy union, Katrina Ann, Donna Jean, William Dustin, Mary Ann, Patricia (Tish), Donald Chad and Andrew Vernon. Val Jean was a bright and multi-faceted person. Her interests were vast. Her personal library was filled with books of every subject. She enjoyed reading and gained much knowledge from the books she read. She loved learning and her wisdom ran deep. It was always so fun to have a conversation with her because she knew so many things about the world. These conversations with our mother will be missed but very cherished. Much of her wisdom came from her deep observation and contemplation of nature. She loved the outdoors very much. In quiet reverence our mother watched the birds, the flowers, the trees, the weather, the stars, the moon and animals with great reverence, awe and respect. Val Jean’s flower gardens were a source of nourishment and beauty that we all flourished on. It fed our souls. Our mother taught us Beauty. Val Jean and Donald’s legacy was a true sense of home. Together they created a paradise on earth for their large family. Our father grew vegetables and our mother grew flowers. Between the two of them they created a heaven on earth that so many of us could call home. The sense of family and love was a gift beyond measure. She is survived by her children Dr. Katrina and Craig Miller of Salt Lake City; Donna and Steven Thompson of Oakley, Idaho; William Holgate of Jackpot, Nevada; Mary Ann and Galen Gay of Elsinore; Patricia (Tish) and Stan Jones of Magnolia, Texas; and Andrew V. and Heather Holgate of Rupert, Idaho. She leaves behind a posterity of over 100 including grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Ann and Larry Julander of Elsinore; Pete and Allison Christensen of Ely, Nevada. Val Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald Alvin Holgate; her son Donald Chad Holgate; a granddaughter, Jennifer Holgate; a great-granddaughter, Leta Batterman; her father, Vernon Barney; mother, Pearl Christensen and step-father, Gerald Christensen; and her brother Kenneth Barney. Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. in the Monroe City Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral in Richfield, Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Monroe City Cemetery, under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.