Karla Gibbs Howell

Karla Gibbs Howell was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 27, 1937 to Carlos C. Gibbs and Lillie Yelton.  Karla had one sister Nancy May Clark that she loved immensely and they were very close until Nancy preceded her in death.   Karla grew up mostly in the Salt Lake City area and graduated from West High School.  Karla married Ted LaMar Howell on March 30, 1956 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Ted and Karla had two children, Cindy and Steven Charles.  The family lived in Bellevue, Washington for many years.

Over the years, Karla worked for the Boy Scouts of America and for Eddie Bauer in their corporate office.  Ted, Karla, and her dad Corky moved to St. George, Utah after retirement in 1999.  Ted and Karla were married for 51 years before Ted passed away January 5, 2007.  After Ted and Corky were gone, Karla was very lonely and moved to Farmington to be near her daughter Cindy.

Karla was the ultimate caregiver and took excellent care of Ted, Corky, friend Sharon Atwood, and numerous others.  Her Branch President in St. George said that he never was able to beat Karla to the hospital or the home of someone in need.  Karla and her dear friend Mickie Price were visiting teaching partners for over 20 years and took excellent care of their ladies, including Shirlene who was alone and had MS.  Karla was a loyal friend and neighbor to many people her whole life.

Karla loved her family more than anything, especially her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many “adopted” family members.  Karla always kept a beautiful house and yard of which she was very proud.

Karla was very social and loved to be with other people.  She was a member of the Red Hat Society, played bunko with her friends, and attended many events in the community and would make friends with strangers all the time.  Karla loved to do arts and crafts and especially loved scrapbooking and made beautiful greeting cards.  One year she made her 4 grandchildren teddy bears that actually had articulating limbs and heads!  Karla always made Ted stop for “pretty rocks and weeds” for her crafts.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents, Carlos and Lillie Gibbs, husband Ted LaMar Howell, son Steven Charles Howell, her sister Nancy G. Clark, granddaughter Stefani Jimenez, and great-granddaughter Marissa Bamala.  Karla is survived by daughter Cindy Bingham (Steve), 9 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter, Brother-in-Law Theodore S. Clark and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Karla passed away May 27, 2023 in Bountiful, Utah.  Services will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Russon Brothers Farmington at 1941 N. Main St. Farmington Utah.  The viewing will be from 9:30 - 10:30 and the funeral will begin at 11:00.  Interment will follow in the Paradise City Cemetery in Cache County Utah. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/people/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory/100057447129518/) and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.