Jan Paulson

Luena Janene Barker Paulson, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was taken from us abruptly and far too soon. Jan Paulson, 83, of Provo, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026. Jan was born in Salt Lake City on October 15, 1942, to William Reed Barker and Mada Marie Spencer Barker.

Mom loved people. During our younger years, she worked at KOVO/K-96 radio station, later at the Orem Care Center, and then with the Provo Police Department, where she especially loved driving around in her little jeep enforcing parking. She worked full-time, was a full-time mom, and a full-time friend. Mom was a worker bee. She worked harder than anyone and made friends wherever she went.

When Mom broke her leg seven years ago and began receiving Meals on Wheels, she quickly became best friends with everyone who delivered her meals, always asking about their families and even what they had named their cars. Grocery store employees would race to be the one to help her with her groceries. Jimmy John’s delivered her a sandwich every other Friday, and the drivers knew her by name and fought over who got to bring it. She was everyone’s favorite person.

Mom loved animals, all animals. At one point she had a tank full of fish, five parakeets, and a dog. Before we were born and during our younger years, she had horses and even barrel raced. She was fiercely devoted to “her critters,” as she called them. We found files for each of her little dogs over the years, complete with health records, favorite treats, and dates they passed away. When her last goldfish, Loretta, died, Mom cleaned and polished the bowl and placed an unopened package of Gold Fish crackers inside. You can’t talk about our mom without talking about “her critters.”

Mom loved music, all music. She played multiple guitars, the piano our grandfather restored, the ukulele, and the mandolin. She owned enough records and sheet music to open her own music store. Music was always part of her life. She was either listening to the radio, playing piano, whistling, or singing. She could add harmony to any song.

Some of our earliest memories are of singing “Danny Boy,” “Five Hundred Miles,” and “Come Little Leaves” while she accompanied us on guitar. Her love of music was passed on to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Everyone sings, most play piano, and many play instruments. One of her favorite things was an impromptu concert from the great-grandkids during visits, always followed by fruit snacks.

Mom was killed Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2026, after being hit head-on by a drunk driver while making a quick trip to Smith’s for green olives, Sargento cheese, or maybe a treat for Bella. Our gratitude goes out to the staff at UVRMC and the Provo Police Department for their care and compassion. We are especially grateful to the citizen who stopped and restrained the driver so no one else could be harmed.

If given the choice, our mom would have said, “Put me in, coach. I’ll take one for the team so no one else has to die.” We planned on many more years together and are heartbroken they were taken from us, but we are deeply grateful for the time we had with Grandma Jan. We know she is busy in heaven with Jamie, her dear parents, Uncle John, Aunt Connie, and all those who went before her, making sure there are plenty of warm blankets and black licorice waiting for her.

Mom deeply loved her family. They were the most important thing in the world to her. She asked about every recital, loose tooth, soccer practice, baptism, primary program, school play, birthday party, and family dinner. She attended every event she possibly could and loved coming over for family dinners. Mom loved food and loved to eat. For someone so tiny, barely 100 pounds soaking wet, she could out-eat just about anyone.

Jan is survived by her older sister and brother, Evelyn Burton (93) and Jay Barker (91); her daughters, Kali Brown (Garrett) and Kari Hammack; her grandchildren, Tairsa Mathews (JR), Jordan Vigil (Zach), Kyrsten Brown, Caden Brown, Taleri Hammack (Chase), Shayla Rollins (Lee), and Kyler Bengtson (Sam); and her great-grandchildren, Greyson (10), Stormie (9), Dean (9), Alexandria (7), Michelle (7), Braxton (7), Peter (5), Emma (5), Carter (5), Steven (2), and Cedar (1). She is also survived by “her critters”: Bella, her 11-year-old chihuahua, and three parakeets. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Reed and Mada Barker, and her firstborn son, Jamie Paulson.

A few “shout outs” for family who will smile at their mention: her red MGB, beef jerky, Phoebe, potato salad, cloves, Bud, Diet Pepsi, tennis, camping, Jimmy John’s, tomatoes, tulips, turquoise, old westerns, Gunsmoke, Grandma Barker’s homemade bread, Puzzles, chess, taquitos, Barbra Streisand, and of course, red Solo cups.

Graveside services will be held for immediate family. Interment will be at East Lawn Cemetery, where our sweet mom requested to be laid to rest beside her mother and father.

Until we meet again, Grandma Jan, we love you a bushel and a peck.

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