Barbara Kunzler

Barbara Packard Kunzler, 85, a resident of Orem, Utah, since 1971, passed
away peacefully at home with family at her side on Thursday, 24 September 2026. She was born on 26 July 1941, in Nampa, Idaho, to Forrest LeRoy and Esther Carter Packard, and was the 16th child in her family.

Four months after Barbara’s birth, her father, who was a construction worker on
Wake Island in the Pacific, was taken prisoner and held for the duration of World War II. She saw her father for the first time in 1945, at age four, when he arrived at the Boise Train Depot.

Barbara loved and adored her parents and siblings. At the tender age of 15 she
lost her mother in a tragic private plane crash. That tragedy led to meeting and marrying her sweetheart and eternal companion, John Jacob (Jay) Kunzler Jr. They were married on 8 April 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Barbara and Jay worked diligently and unitedly in pursuing their dreams, teaching and loving their eight children, and creating a legacy of faith for their posterity. From 1985-1988, she and Jay served as leaders of the Montana Billings Mission, where her maternal influence blessed hundreds of missionaries.

Barbara’s life was drastically changed five years later when in 1993 Jay suffered a brain aneurysm that left him disabled. She courageously and lovingly cared for him for 27 years before his death in 2021.

Barbara enjoyed gardening, music, BYU sports, canning, baking, sewing, quilting, and playing games, even while caring for Jay. Temple and family history work were a priority throughout her life, and she found great joy as a temple worker in the Provo and Orem Temples in the years following Jay's passing. Barbara is remembered for her contagious smile and cheerful nature. She created many lifelong relationships and was deeply loved by her family and friends.

Barbara is survived by her son Gary (Michelle), daughter Jana Hilton (Donald),
son John (Mhanitta), son Richard (Rhonda), daughter Suzanne, son Michael (Nicole), son Jayson (Jennifer), son Steven (Karen), and brothers Floyd Packard (Marsha), Ronald Packard, Darwin “Bud” Packard (Joann), Robert "Bob"Packard (Talmadge), and Bernard "Bernie" Packard (Nancy).

She is adored by 52 grandchildren and 68 great-grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by her husband, Jay, her parents, brothers Dee, Jay, Forrest, Carter, Heber “Von”, Ace “Bill”, Bennett “Ben”, and Mark and sisters Beth, Cleo, and Donna.

The Kunzler family expresses appreciation to caretakers and other medical
professionals who provided service to Barbara. They also express deep gratitude for extended family and friends who have loved and cared for her throughout her life.

A public viewing will be held Sunday, 4 October 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah.

An additional public viewing will be held Monday, 5 October 2026 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Cherry Hill 7 th Ward building, 135 E. 2000 S. Orem, UT. The funeral service will follow from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Following the funeral service, a graveside service will be held at Highland City
Cemetery, 6200 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah.