Phyllis Barker

Phyllis May LaRue Barker
1928-2013
Phyllis Barker passed peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, August 19, 2013 in Boise, after complications from a recent stroke. Born in Heyburn, Idaho on May 31, 1928 to Roy and Daisy Roberts LaRue, Phyllis graduated from Heyburn High School in 1946, and earned a degree in Home Economics from the University of Idaho in 1950, after living four years in Hays Hall and reigning (true to her middle name) as U of I's May Queen. She married her college sweetheart, Glenn Barker, on August 13, 1950, and they honeymooned at one of their favorite places in the world, Redfish Lake. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. Glenn and Phyllis lived in Coulee Dam, Washington before returning to Idaho in 1969, residing in Boise until her death.
Phyllis touched many lives and was well known for her gift of hospitality. An extra setting at the Barker dinner table was a common occurrence as she and Glenn welcomed visitors into their home for a night or two, developing many lifelong friendships by the time dessert (chocolate, of course) was served. She was also an accomplished seamstress, and many brides and bridesmaids were rescued by a last minute alteration from Phyllis right before walking down the aisle.
In addition to her devotion to Glenn, Phyllis was committed to building relationships, especially within her family, neighborhood, P.E.O. sisterhood and church community. She surrendered her life to Christ at an early age, and continued to strengthen her faith throughout her life by personal Bible study, prayer and consistent fellowship with other believers. She and Glenn were founding members of Boise Valley Christian Communion (now Discovery Church) and attended Epworth Chapel on the Green for the past ten years.
Music was always an important part of her life, whether it was playing the piano, singing with the family in the car on long road trips, or enjoying community performances. She shared her love of music with others from her college days with the Vandaleers, to organizing and directing a church children's choir, to performing with the Whitney Women's Chorale in her later years. She had a special affinity for the great hymns of faith, and researched the history of many hymns for a presentation during the Idaho Centennial celebration.
Phyllis loved a good adventure - and she enjoyed traveling across the country and around the world to visit old friends, make new ones, and embrace different cultures. She lived up to her motto of "you're never too old to learn something new" by scuba diving for the first time at the Great Barrier Reef in her 70s, and participating in 19 Elderhostel educational programs with Glenn, both in the US and abroad. Often, travel provided great fellowship opportunities, as Phyllis and Glenn visited the Oregon Coast for fifteen consecutive years with the same four couples, building deep and lasting friendships. Phyllis and Glenn also fostered a love for travel within their family, as evidenced by each of their children living internationally for a period of their adult lives before returning to settle in the Boise area.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of 63 years, Glenn, two daughters, Rebecca (Dan) Casey and Nancy (David) Shaw of Boise, son, Joel (Donna) Barker of Eagle; brothers Paul (Ruth) LaRue of Salem, Oregon and Lawrence (Peggy) LaRue of Hagerman; and grandchildren Lucy Shaw, Gabriel Shaw and Isaac Shaw of Boise, Christopher Barker of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jeffrey Barker of Eagle. She was preceded in death by brothers Robert and Warren, and a daughter Janice.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 P.M., Monday, August 26th at Discovery Church, 1177 N. Roosevelt in Boise, with a private interment at Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery in Boise under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. The family recommends memorials in her honor to The Gideons International, Mission Aviation Fellowship, or either of the churches named above.