Carla Jean Wilkins

Carla Jean Hansen Wilkins, 77, of Redmond, Utah passed away peacefully June 24, 2022. Carla was born March 11, 1945 to Ivan and Myrle Keele Hansen in Gunnison, Utah. She grew up in Mayfield where she attended elementary school at Mayfield Elementary until the fifth grade, when the school closed. Childhood in Mayfield for Carla was ideal. She was born shortly after her older sister, Faye, passed away, so Carla was spoiled by her parents. She loved fishing with her father up Twelve Mile and helping her mother wash laundry in an old wringer washer and hanging it on the clothesline. She graduated from Gunnison High School where she was prom queen, cheerleader for her beloved Bulldogs, and she spoke at her high school graduation. As she stood at the podium delivering her graduation speech, her mom and dad noticed a very distinct sparkle on her ring finger. Her eternal companion, Kendyl Wilkins, being the romantic that he was, had picked her up to drive her to graduation, pulled over on the side of the road, and proposed! Carla accepted immediately. Kendyl slid the ring on her finger and it twinkled all through her speech. Carla married Kendyl in the Manti Temple on September 14, 1963. She worked at the sewing plant in Manti, while Kendyl went to school at Snow College. They moved to Cedar City while Kendyl finished his teaching degree there. A new camping company had just opened up and hired Carla immediately since she already had experience in operating the industrial sewing machines. She put Kendyl through school by sewing sleeping bags. They spent six months in Wendover, Utah before moving to Redmond to raise their family. They loved living in Redmond and made a lot of friends. Kendyl built Carla her dream home where they have lived ever since. Kendyl and Carla loved square dancing with the Sagebrush Swingers. They enjoyed building friendships there, and loved traveling with these friends. Carla was very talented. She played the piano, sewed beautifully, was an amazing cook and homemaker, and was very crafty. She loved big family dinners and was not opposed to using paper plates. She liked making holiday traditions with her family, especially at Christmas time. Carla was very devoted to her family. She loved having her kids and grandkids close by, and spent many hours stretched out on the floor coloring with them. She taught preschool out of her home for many years while also serving as the Redmond Town Clerk. Carla wrote the grants to get the baseball fields upgraded, the new town hall built, the old town hall remodeled, the restrooms installed at the cement block and the Redmond roads paved. She won awards for her grant writing. Active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Carla served in the Primary, Relief Society, and Stake Young Women’s organizations, while supporting Kendyl through three bishoprics, and high council callings. She was an ordinance worker with Kendyl in the Manti Temple. Kendyl and Carla raised 5 children in Redmond; Scott (Cynthia) of Redmond, Cami (Ty Gubler) of La Verkin, Keri (Bret Merchant) of Redmond, Dan of Redmond, and Chad (Jodee) of Redmond. They have 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by Kendyl, her parents, her brother; Roy, her sister; Faye, and her parents-in-law; Orman and Mildred Wilkins. She is survived by her two sisters; Merlene and Wilma, a brother; Terry, and three sisters-in-law; Nola, Carol, and Valerie all of whom she loved very much! A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 30th from 7-8:30 p.m., and on Friday, July 1st from 9-10:30 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. in the Redmond Chapel. Interment will be in the Redmond Town Cemetery. The family would like to express their appreciation for the outpouring of love and support. We know Mom was truly loved!