Carol Wartena Eves

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2Timothy 4:7

Carol Wartena Eves, age 89, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, in Draper, Utah.

Carol was born on May 1, 1936, in Great Falls, Montana, to Andre Duveau Wartena and Marie Tippetts Wartena. They had a humble life, but loved it there nonetheless. Mom would often have a difficult time going to school and would be late! One day her mom told her, “ If your teacher asks you why you are late, you tell her you wouldn’t get out of bed!” So that is exactly what mom said. She got paddled at school that day! She ended up repeating the 1st grade in California where she took school much more seriously and was a great student.

Carol’s family moved to San Jose, California, as a young girl, where she grew up. She had a happy childhood with her family among the walnut orchards and climbing pepper trees! After graduating from James Lick High School in 1955, she attended Brigham Young University for one year. She met Art on summer break at a single adult dance in the Bay Area while he was stationed in the Army at Fort Ord. They began dancing the jitterbug that night — and never really stopped. She went back to BYU for a short time in the fall of 1956 but decided to go home and get married instead!

Carol married the love of her life, Arthur Glenn Eves Jr., on November 2, 1956, in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their marriage, their faith and family were everything to both Carol and Art. They dreamed of having a large family — and they joyfully built one, becoming the parents to 11 children, 49 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren, with more still to come.

Just three days after the wedding, Art was sent to Germany. Carol stayed behind, working as a switchboard operator for three months to earn enough money to join him. She was making great money and her dad told her “You should just stay home and keep saving money.” She said, “You better believe I’m going, and no one is stopping me!” She bought a ticket and bravely flew overseas to be with her husband.

Their family began quickly. Their first child, Daniel, was born in Germany. After returning to the United States, they settled in Santa Clara, California, where Carol embraced her role as a devoted mother and Art became a Milkman for Dairy Gold keeping their young family healthy with milk and ice cream. Five more children were born there: Beverly, Arthur Jay, Christopher, Sarah, and Robin. With six children, life was full, busy, and joyful.

When Carol became pregnant with their seventh child, the family decided to moved to Utah, where large families are more common. They settled in Spanish Fork. Art became an Electrician in Utah. Anita was born there, followed by Elizabeth, Rebecca, and David. They completely outgrew their little home so in 1976, they built a home in Orem, Utah. Their youngest child, Sally arrived in 1978 to complete the family.

In 1982 with the economy downturn in Utah, they moved to Redmond, Washington, with six children still at home. Carol worked at Crossroads Retirement Center for many years, planning activities and cooking meals — continuing her lifelong pattern of loving and serving others.

As their children grew and left home, Carol, Art and Sally returned to Utah, living in Springville and later the two of them moved to Fayette as empty nesters. After Art’s passing in 2008, Carol traveled between Utah and California to stay with her daughter Rebecca. Eventually, she sold her home in Fayette and moved permanently to California, where she spent ten years enjoying warm weather with her beloved dog Chloe, sewing, doing crossword puzzles and taking daily walks.

Carol was an avid seamstress her entire life. She made most of her children’s clothing and much of what she and Art wore — pajamas, prom, wedding, baptism & blessing dresses, she even made the underwear! Later, she began making flannel shirts for everyone, lovingly labeling them “Mom’s Warm Hug.” She traveled with her sewing machine so she could continue making clothing and costumes for her grandchildren & great grandchildren wherever she went.

As dementia began to set in, sewing became more difficult. Yet somehow, she was able to sew one more flannel shirt for each of her children. After finishing the final one, she suddenly could no longer remember how to sew — a tender and symbolic closing of a lifelong labor of love.

Carol spent the last year and a half in Utah, surrounded by family and love. As her memory faded, her stories became entertaining and precious. During her last months, she often believed her beloved Art was still alive, fixing up their home in Fayette and preparing to come get her. She waited for him daily.

Through prayer, the family felt prompted to go along with her story and began writing her letters from Art, as though he were away on a mission. These letters were filled with memories and love and brought comfort to both Carol and those who wrote them. Her letters back to Art were sweet — and often hilariously witty. She remained a whiz right up to the end.

Her son David wrote a message we all echo:

“She never did a lot of ‘preaching’ with words, but I can recall countless ‘sermons’ in the form of experiences with her that taught me how to live with love, faith, hope, and sacrifice. Cooking meals together, making crafts, watching her sew for others so consistently, and seeing the joy that quiet, practical service brought to her taught me more than words ever could. Even though Dad was the musical one, Mom was always singing to and with us. She laughed often — sometimes so hard she could hardly stay in her chair. Even in moments of frustration, she was compassionate and supportive.”

“I am filled with joy as I ponder the life, love, creativity, humor, resilience, compassion, talent, industriousness, skill, faith, service, and wisdom that she modeled and taught us. Her legacy lives in our hearts and will guide us as we continue our own mortal missions. Words cannot express my gratitude for the life she gave me and to each of us.”

Carol is survived by her 11 children:

Dan (Sharon) Eves, Beverly Jensen, Arthur Jay (Leisa) Eves, Christopher (Gina) Eves, Sarah (Michael) Morrill, Robin (Leroy) Carter, Anita (Todd) Cripps, Elizabeth (Rob) Morrill, Rebecca (Cameron) Knudson, David (Alexis) Eves, and Sally (Ryan) Whittaker; along with 49 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings, Robert Wartena, Marilyn Walburger and Edmond (Penny) Wartena.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur Glenn Eves Jr.; two grandsons, Louie Garcia and Mark Morrill; and her siblings Gwen Hughes, Joyce Gancer and Richard Ray Wartena.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026,

Viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.

at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 8841 S. 4800 W., West Jordan, Utah. She will be laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah.