Carolyn G. Verkler

Our dear mother, grandmother, and friend passed away suddenly on February 8, 2025 after a serious fall. Carolyn was born December 22, 1936, daughter of J. Leland Gibson and Fern Wayment Gibson, in Ogden, Utah. She loved to dance ballet and played piano, violin, and organ. She was the youngest of "The Gibson Girl Trio" (piano, viola, and Carolyn as the violinist) and played across Ogden throughout her childhood. She began her life-long career as ward organist at age 12, perhaps holding a record for the longest time serving in a church calling (76 years). After graduating from Ogden High, she earned her BS in Education from the University of Utah. She taught elementary school until she switched to her most important career of being a mother-the greatest joy of her life. Carolyn and Michael L. Verkler were married June 30, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple and shared 53 years of joy together. She enjoyed walking with her friends every morning, including on the day she died. 

She loved being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings throughout her life. She was a sought after accompanist in church and for private events. She continued to perform thousands of times even after becoming legally blind. She couldn't drive a car but she could still play any song if you played or sang her the tune. Her love of music has been passed on to her sons and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mike and her sisters Joyce Gibson and Lianne Aiken. She is survived by her four sons Jay (Tamiko), Clark (Brittany), Matthew, and Edward (Tina), and 13 grandchildren: Conrad, Ethan, Aldin, McKay, Quentin, Hannah, Hans, Shane, Scott, Marcus, Austin, Colter, and Erin. 

A viewing will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 15, 2025 at the Bountiful Hills Ward, 1190 E. Bountiful Hills Dr., Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. prior to services.

If you are interested in watching the live stream of the funeral, please email the family at funeral@carloyn.verkler.org to get a Zoom link.