Lola Anne Clawson Barfuss

Lola Anne Clawson was born 10 July 1918 in the Mormon community of Binghampton, a region of Tucson, Arizona. She was the ninth and youngest child of Joseph Inkley Clawson and Celestia Jane Durfee.

Sometime after the death of her father in 1924, Lola moved to Salt Lake City, Utah with her mother and some of her siblings. There she met LaGrant William Barfuss. They married on 10 April 1937. Grant and Lola lived in various places along the Wasatch Front of Utah, in Richland Washington, in Concord California, and in Yakima Washington during their fifty years of marriage.

Lola died on 14 August 1987 in Yakima, Washington. Her grave is in Yakima.

Lola had five children:

Harold Eugene (b. 1935)

David LaGrant (1938-2018)

Beverly Anne (b. 1940)

Donald Lee (1941-2008)

Madeline Louise (1942-died at birth)

Lola was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life.

At her funeral, her oldest son, Harold Eugene, included this description of her talents in the eulogy:

"Her children and their spouses all remember the talents she had with any type of needlecraft. There was hardly an article made with a needle that Mom couldn’t pick up and study for a few minutes and then duplicate it. In our home as we grew up there was always evidence of Mom’s handicrafts. As each of us children married she shared the talent with all of her girls. Her daughter as well as three daughters-in-law share memories of quilting, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, and embroidery with Mom. And our homes still bear evidence not only of Mom’s talent but those she taught and shared with our spouses. Mom loved to read and because of this love she was self-taught and knowledgeable on many subjects. She loved music and for much of her life she sang in choirs and directed music in the Church."

She also loved family history. As a descendant of Mormon pioneers, and the child of a polygamist, she had many stories to tell about her parents, grandparents, and beyond.

Lola and Grant were proud of the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren. They attended baptisms, birthdays, graduations, weddings, school concerts, and more in support of their family.

We, her grandchildren, look forward to remembering Grandma through this memorial website. She supported us in life, and now we will support her legacy.