Barbara Luan York

Barbara Luan York was born May 9, 1948, to Robert Aaron and Barbara Cook York. She was the first or three children born to Aaron and Barbara. They were very excited to start their family. Luan was born on Mother’s Day. She was joined later by a sister, Pat and a brother, Bill

She loved school and excelled in her classes. Luan set a high standard for her siblings with excellent grades throughout high school. Luan was Student Body Reporter Recorder her senior year. She wrote a weekly column about school activities at Butte High for the Arco Advertiser. She graduated from Butte High School in May 1966.

After high school Luan attended the University of Idaho where she received a bachelor’s degree in foods and nutrition. After college Luan served a one-year Internship working as a dietitian for the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Part of her internship was spent at Primary Children’s Hospital. She enjoyed her work there and spent many hours visiting the children and trying to make the time they were at the hospital enjoyable.

Luan left Salt Lake City and moved to Twin Falls, Idaho where she worked as a dietitian at Magic Valley Hospital. Everyone in the family enjoyed this time since Luan’s work schedule allowed her to come home often and spend time with the family. Many weekends were spent in the Antelope and Copper Basin areas fishing and camping together.

After a few years in Twin Falls, Idaho, Luan moved to Riverside, California where she once again worked in a hospital. She enjoyed the opportunities and responsibilities of a larger hospital. She spent 3 years there and enjoyed the big city of Riverside.

In 1975 her mom, Barbara, saw a job advertisement for a position on the Idaho Board of Education for a dietitian. She quickly applied and shortly after moved to Boise, Idaho. She oversaw the school lunch programs and summer camp food programs funded by the education department. Luan enjoyed this opportunity to visit all over the State of Idaho and got to know many school lunch supervisors. Many lasting friendships were formed over the next 20 years.

When Luan’s father, Aaron York, passed away she invited her mom to live with her. They had many wonderful trips and drives together all over the state. Later when Luan retired, they moved back to Arco. As her mom’s health declined, she became her mom’s main caregiver.

Luan was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her whole life. She served in many ward callings including as Relief Society President in the Lost River Ward. Luan also served as a temple officiator in the Idaho Falls Temple for 3 years. One of the church responsibilities she enjoyed the most was serving as a “visiting teacher” with her mom in the Lost River Ward.

Later, as Luan’s health declined, she chose to move to an Assisted Living Center in Logan, Utah. While there she was an avid Bingo player. She explained that she enjoyed Bingo games because it reminded her of playing games as a family while growing up. Luan will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 12 Noon at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, 2555 N. Highway 93, Arco, ID. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco.