Mikki Barben February 6, 1939 - October 26, 2022

Judith McVoy Henrie Barben, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at her home near Marysvale Utah, October 26, 2022, after a valiant struggle with cancer.

She was born to Francis Verl and Dessie Swalberg Henrie, February 6, 1939, in Richfield Utah and grew up with her parents, four sisters, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins on the Elbow Ranch southeast of Marysvale. She loved the ranch life and living there.

She graduated from Marysvale High school, and then attended BYU the next school year. She intended to return the next year to BYU, but suddenly decided to go to Utah State University in Logan, Utah instead. That decision made all the difference because she soon met Archie Keith Barben from Delta, Utah. They found an immediate mutual attraction, began dating, and were married in the Manti LDS Temple on September 16, 1960. They lived in Logan for a time, and then moved to Brigham City, Utah where dad worked at Thiokol. Two years later, in 1965, the family moved back to the Elbow Ranch near Marysvale. When they sold the ranch some years later, the family moved to a new home on their property on the hills to the west, which has been home ever since.  Mom and dad embarked on a series of adventures on which they worked hard together. They traveled many places, but only one place was ever really home for mom. They raised 11 children, were always deeply in love, and were totally united in everything.

She was a very dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with her faith and her family being most important in her life. Mom had a very strong testimony of the gospel and shared it freely.

Mom made a good friend into everyone she met, and just loved people regardless of differences that could potentially divide them. Mikki never met a stranger; everyone was a friend, and she warmly hugged all those who would let her and even some who wouldn’t.

She loved history, especially history of the Marysvale area, and spent time almost every day for over 30 years researching and collecting history of the area. Her history collection now available to the public in the Marysvale Visitors Center, will be a valuable resource for interested people for years to come. She was the organizer and motivating force behind the Marysvale Veterans Memorial Park and monuments and worked tirelessly with her volunteer committee and other people in town to make it a reality. We made many wonderful memories as a family, and it is with sadness for us and joy for her that we say farewell.

McVoy was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Jacob Honsinger, and her sister Dorthy Henrie. She is survived by her husband A. Keith Barben, Marysvale, Utah; her children: Michael (Alayna-deceased) Logan, Utah;  Kristi (Ken) Bringhurst, Santa Clara, Utah; Jeffery (Alexia) Mendon, Utah; Steven (Kerly) Barben, Orem, Utah; Wayne (Tami) Barben, Payson, Utah; Sharmi (Brian) Crowther, Richfield, Utah; Kami (Caleb) Honsinger, Plumas Lake, California; Gary Barben, Elsinore, Utah; Alan (Crystal) Barben, Payson, Utah; Jordan (Mandy) Barben, Enoch, Utah; Rhett Barben, Marysvale, Utah; 39 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and her sisters Connie Brunson, Donna Waters, and Kathy Knight.

Family and friends may pay their respects to Mikki and her family from 6:00 to 8:00 PM the evening of Friday, November 4, 2022, and on Saturday November 5, 2022, from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 432 W Bullion Avenue, Marysvale, Utah. The funeral service will begin at 11:00AM.    Interment will be later that day, at the Barben Family Cemetery Southeast of Marysvale, Utah overlooking The Elbow Ranch.

We wish to thank the many Doctors and health professionals, as well as friends and family members who have provided invaluable service and have done so much to help.