Darlene Bartlett

Darlene Huxford Bartlett passed away at her home on August 21, 2025, just two months before her 85th birthday, surrounded by her beloved and thankful husband of 67 years, Floyd Henry Bartlett, children, and grand and great-grandchildren in Vernal, Utah. Daughter of Marion Smith Wilkins Huxford and Alfred H. Huxford, Darlene was born on October 22, 1940, in her Grandma Gustina “Tina” Wilkins’ home.

With faith in God, the identity of Christian, the altruism of a saint, selfless concern for the health and well-being of others, smiles, hugs and aura that delivered comfort and reassurance during any season of life to Floyd, their children, grandchildren, Darlene’s full life of hills and valleys was embraced with an inspiring blend of joy, forgiveness, grit and compassion for others. She was gentle and humble as can be, a calm to every storm, and wise beyond measure with a balanced life of hard work and play. She was an extraordinary giver and caretaker throughout her life. Even when she needed caretaking during her health decline, the way she protected and nurtured others didn’t decline.

Darlene was a softball player who could whack the ball to center field on a co-ed softball team with Floyd as her favorite teammate, seamstress, baby blanket maker, knitter, meal maker, cookie baker, candy maker of divinity and caramels, teen ice skater, high school student-body officer, reunion planner, Pink Lady hospital volunteer, and a therapist (though not by profession). Known as open-minded and nonjudgemental, Darlene was a trusted listener and keeper of confidences. She was an early-to-bed, early-to-rise queen who taught that adequate sleep was a factor for thriving at home, work, school, and play.

Darlene was a pianist who learned to play as a little girl. A favorite pastime was accompanying her children while they sang at church, home, or school musical practice. Playing the piano was one way she relaxed from stress. She played from stacks of sheet music, and her favorites revealed the multiple endearing and fun sides of her personality. Darlene also delighted in playing all the hymns in the hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she treasured being a dedicated member, going to church every Sunday with her husband-to-be from the time they dated as students at Union High School in Roosevelt, Utah and continued throughout matrimony and raising their family. Unitedly they journeyed through life while Floyd worked for the Forest Service in the communities of Vernal, Spanish Fork, Gooding, Burley, Monroe, Beaver, Ogden, and returned to Vernal. The nearby mountains were a place of recreation and beauty, offering opportunities for hunting, fishing and camping.

Together, Darlene and Floyd nurtured a legacy of a family grown through pregnancy and adoption. Being “Mom” was her specialty above all specialties. She was wholeheartedly devoted to motherhood and grandparenting, plus she managed every aspect of household finances into her 84th year and final month of life. Her financial management skillsets eventually became a prolific monetary benefit through jobs in the banking industry. She worked in teller and loan officer roles at Commercial Bank in Ogden, and First Security and Wells Fargo in Vernal. Other ways she served and worked began as a 12-year-old cleaning the rooms of the Roosevelt Hotel, where she and her brother lived with Grandma, who was the Manager. The “Show Halls,” Roosevelt Theater, and Uintah Theater for selling candy and popcorn, and Modern Drug at the fountain were fun jobs as a teen. As a high school Senior, which was shortly before her newlywed husband began his bachelor’s degree at Utah State University in Logan, she worked as a car hop, then cook, at Steeds Dairy Queen. After Union High School graduation and marriage to Floyd on May 1, 1958, at Salt Lake Temple, she gained employment as a law firm bookkeeper and shorthand transcriber, and Thiokol Chemical Corporation in the Rocket Engineering Department with secret clearance status as typist of all manuscripts. Her paychecks helped sustain their household while she worked until two weeks before she gave birth to their first son, when Motherhood became her favored career.

Darlene is survived by her beloved HUSBAND, Floyd Henry Bartlett, their beloved CHILDREN, son Steven Floyd Bartlett (Sheryl Hill Bartlett), daughter Keri Bartlett Bullock (Scott Bryan Bullock), preceded in death by her brother Terry Farrell Huxford, and youngest son Larry Owen Bartlett. Survived by beloved GRANDCHILDREN Shane Steven Bartlett (Sandy), Bryant Matthew Bullock (Katlyn), Keeley Marie Bartlett Woody (Czyz), Blake Owen Bartlett (Marci), Jamie Linn Bullock Sorensen (Brent), Ashley Bartlett Davis (Ben), Skyler Larry Bartlett (Haylee), Kacie Linn Bullock, Bryce Joseph Bartlett, Jadyn F. Bartlett, Brindy Marie Bartlett Hadlock (Qualan), Trey Bryant Bullock, Warren Bryant Bullock; beloved GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN Cruzdyn Woody, Makhi Sorensen, Luxzyn Bartlett, Milika Bullock, Jaxzyn Woody, Emily Davis, Kierra Sorensen, Kayo Bullock, Kaden Davis, Rozilyn Woody, Desmond Sorensen, Whitlee Bartlett, Ethan Bartlett, Quinton Bullock, Axxtyn Bartlett, Lani Bullock, Royce Bartlett, Harper Bartlett, Aliyah Sorensen, Charles Bartlett, Quincy Bullock, Owen Bartlett, Malan Davis.

Family and friends near and far are invited to join us for a Funeral Service to honor the life of our beloved Darlene Huxford Bartlett and her spirit that lives on. Services will be held Saturday August 30th at 2:00pm at the Vernal 7th Ward LDS Chapel (850 West 100 North). 

Visitations: Friday, August 29, 2025  from 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 30th 12:45 ~ 1:45 p.m. prior to the services. All services will be held at the church. 

Burial will be in the Tridell Cemetery (9250 N & Tridell Highway) following the funeral.

We bid a temporary farewell to our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and look forward to the day that we will reunite once more and partake of her love and tender care.

Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.