Evelyn Nordberg Barton, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, at the age of 94.

Evelyn was born on January 31, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph Christian and Edith Bacon Nordberg. She grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High School. On March 30, 1950, she married her sweetheart, Jay Blayne Barton, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They remained devoted to one another throughout their lives.

Evelyn loved music from an early age. She sang in choir and learned to play both the piano and organ—talents she continued to develop and share throughout her life. Through her music, she blessed countless people, and those memories remain treasured by all who knew her.

She also inherited a special talent from her father: she could whistle using only her lips. It was a remarkably long and loud whistle. One evening, she used that whistle to get the attention of her future husband, Blayne, as he stood beneath a streetlamp. Apparently, that was all it took. From that moment on, they were inseparable.

That famous whistle became a part of family life, too. After she and Blayne had children, Evelyn would use it to call them home for dinner—or, on occasion, to let them know they were in trouble!

Evelyn and Blayne raised five children together. Throughout her life, Evelyn was actively involved in her community and devoted countless hours to service. She served in the PTA, was president of the Jaycees, and volunteered extensively with voter registration and election activities. She was also a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she fulfilled many callings. One of her favorite opportunities to serve was as an ordinance worker in the Provo and St. George Temples. She was especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Blayne in the sealing office, where he served as a sealer.

Evelyn and Blayne always had a garden, and Evelyn loved being outdoors, whether she was working in the garden, golfing, or simply soaking up the sun. She was also a wonderful cook and became famous in the family for her meat pie and its delicious, flaky crust. She especially loved the ocean and treasured the time she spent near the water. Evelyn and Blayne also shared a love of square dancing and enjoyed participating in many competitions together.

Blayne was known for his playful teasing, and in the early 1980s, he lovingly gave Evelyn the nickname “Moose.” From then on, she proudly became known as Moose—and eventually, Gramoose—to her family and friends.

During her lifetime, Evelyn lived in many places, including throughout Utah and Colorado, as well as Tehran, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Eventually, she and Blayne settled in St. George, Utah, where they lived until his passing in 2011. In May 2017, Evelyn married Warren Steffy, and they enjoyed several years together until his passing in 2021. During the last 16 years of her life, Evelyn was blessed to live with family and in assisted living communities in California, Arizona, and Utah.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Crystal and Alan at the Beehive House in Layton, Utah,

Evelyn was fun-loving, supportive, spirited, and spunky. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a generous heart, and a way of making life more memorable for those around her. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who loved her.

We find comfort in knowing that she is happily reunited with Blayne and with the many loved ones who went before her.

Evelyn is survived by her five children: Robert Jay Barton (Debra), Heber, Arizona; Jo-Lynn Barton So, Jordan, Utah; Kaye Clemmons (Sam), Clearfield, Utah; Robyn Boren (Ken, deceased), West Jordan, Utah; and DaNell Barton, Clearfield, Utah. She is also survived by 32 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, with one more great-great-grandchild on the way.

Her legacy of love, faith, music, humor, service, and family will live on through the many lives she touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 1:00-2:00 p.m., at Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd., St. George, UT. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at St. George City Cemetery, St. George, Utah. 

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Evelyn’s memory to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.