Valarie Ann Barfus

Valarie Ann (Val) Barfus, 33, passed away at her home in Hyrum on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, from complications of liver disease and diabetes. She was born on March 7, 1985 at Logan Regional Hospital in Logan, Utah.
Val was independent, vivacious, determined and defiant. It seemed as if her brain never shut off. Often is would require a car ride to calm her down enough to sleep at night. She got what she wanted almost all of the time. She knew how to manipulate those around her, either with bribery or pushing until she wore you down.
Val attended Lincoln Elementary, South Cache Middle School and Mt. Crest High School, graduating in 2003. When she was a senior she became a “peer tutor.” It was her responsibility to be that companion to a student with special needs. This became a defining moment and a turning point for Valarie, it was her calling.
After graduating high school, she went on to work for the Cache County School district as an aide, and at Cache Employment Services as a job coach. She spent 13 years working with children and adults with various disabilities. Val’s favorite clients were those with severe physical disabilities and those on the Autism Spectrum. We loved listening to her tell us of her students, their accomplishments, how much she loved them and what she learned from them.
When she was about 11 years old, her grandfather brought her a used piano. She began teaching herself how to play. She tried taking lessons but after only two years she decided she wasn’t having any more to do with being told how to play, so she quit and kept learning on her own. She also loved to sing and took formal singing lessons for many years. Her voice teacher became her friend, and the years they spent together were priceless.
Val is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as a young lady served in the Young Woman’s program and as a Primary teacher. She had a determination in her callings and assignments and wanted things done right but not at the cost of anyone’s feelings. She stood for her principles, she stood for her friends, she believed in agency and accepting people for who they are. She was a good and loyal friend.
Val is the only child of Fredrick Collin Barfus and Sheryl Ann Zabriskie Barfus. She never married, nor did she have children. However, she helped many people throughout her life, including the daughters of a man she dated. She loved those girls and enjoyed being a mother figure in their lives.
Many members of her extended family have preceded her in death. Grandpa Lloyd and Grandma Zola Mae Barfus, Grandpa Doug and Grandma Evelyn Zabriskie, Aunt Linda (Wanner), Uncle Bruce Zabriskie, Uncle Jeff Zabriskie, and her cousin Tony Zabriskie.
We would like to mention and thank her Aunt Becky, Uncle Randy, Melissa and Ryan, and her Uncle Ken, Aunt Jen and Amanda, Connor, Sam and Hannah. Also, Aunt Vicki, Jason and Shannon and countless friends who have shown their love, compassion and support through the ten years as she has fought this battle.
We would also like to thank her family doctor, Matthew Chabot and his staff at the U of U Farmington Clinic. All of the medical professionals and staff at Logan Regional Hospital, and we are most thankful for Dr. Brett Porter and his staff at IHC Hospice; especially Gaby and Kristy who have shown her such compassion at this time.
Funeral services will take place Monday, December 10, 2018 beginning at 11:00 AM at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center in Logan, with a viewing prior from 9:30 to 10:30 am. A viewing will also be held Sunday evening, December 9, 2018 from 4 to 7 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary.