Carla Wood Risenmay

June 24,1932 – May 8, 2025

Carla Risenmay passed away at Legacy Village of Provo, Utah on May 8, 2025, at the age of 92, just one month shy of her 93rd birthday. She was surrounded by her beloved family.

Carla was born June 24, 1932, in Garland, Utah, to Ross C. Wood and Cleo Farnsworth. She attended elementary school in Fielding and graduated from Bear River High School in 1950. After graduating from high school, Carla attended Weber State College for one year and then transferred to Utah State University.

While attending Utah State University in Logan, Carla met Jay Risenmay and they were married September 12, 1952, in the Logan Temple. In 1953, while still in Logan, they were blessed with their first daughter Rhonda. They then moved to Cape Cod Massachusetts and Maine, where Jay served for two years as an Aircraft Controller in the Air Force. They returned to Utah in 1955 and their second daughter Ann was born in Tremonton. In 1959, Laurel was born in Delta, and after moving back to Provo, they were blessed with Janet in 1961. Carla cared for their young growing family while Jay continued his education at BYU. After Jay graduated, he took a position as head of the Counseling Center for Ricks College, and they moved to Rexburg, Idaho.

Family was the centerpiece of Carla's life. Carla excelled as a homemaker. Through her good example, her four daughters learned to love being homemakers. Healthy delicious meals, including the favorite Sunday roast beef dinner, were always on the table. They shared wonderful family time each night while gathered around the dinner table. Carla's home was always clean, orderly and in good repair. She was an excellent seamstress, taking after her mother. She knew how to garden and preserve food. Her hands could peel a peach faster than anyone around and her fresh peas and creamed potatoes were a favorite. Her family spent many hours together working, laughing and talking while the produce was harvested and prepared for winter.

Carla devoted her life to serving family, friends and her Church. She was compassionate, always thinking of others, reaching out to family and friends in need, and often sharing, among other things, beautiful roses from her garden. She had the ability to think ahead and anticipate a need, then be ready when the time came. She had a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and of our living prophets and apostles and loved serving in the church. Some of her callings included RS President, YW President, Primary President and Visiting Teacher.

You do not think of Carla without thinking of Jay. Through their 65 years of marriage, they worked together raising their family; Carla carrying the home responsibilities and Jay providing for the family. They were a strong team and became inseparable, especially in their later years after Jay retired. Carla struggled with health challenges for many years, yet remained diligent in fulfilling her roles as wife, mother, friend, and church member. She rarely complained. When she could not sleep at night, which was often, you would hear her tape player as she listened to scriptures, conference talks, music and other uplifting things while trying to sleep. She filled her mind with eternal truths and her example instilled a love of eternal truths in her daughters. Jay and Carla had the privilege of serving a homebased mission for the Church Employment Center in Rexburg.

In her later years, Carla provided continual love and tender care for Jay during his struggle with cancer. She completely forgot herself and focused all her efforts on his needs. It has been a beautiful love story to watch and participate in.

Carla is survived by her beloved daughters; Rhonda Sutherland (Bruce), Ann Behling (Max), Laurel Walker (Layne), Janet Graul (Greg). She also leaves behind a legacy of 20 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister DeeAnn Rudd (Norman-deceased). She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Risenmay; parents, Ross and Cleo Wood, brother Harvey Wood (Iris Lee-deceased); grandchildren Alisa, Rock, Quincy and Ryan. What a joyful reunion awaited her!

We express our deepest, heartfelt appreciation for the services provided by Bristol Hospice - Utah in Murray and Legacy Village of Provo. Their care exceeded our expectations as they loved and cared not only for our mother, but for our family as well.

A viewing will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 990 North 100 West, Orem, Utah 84057. Her burial will follow on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the Rexburg Cemetery, Rexburg, ID 83440

Carla will be greatly missed, and her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who knew her.

A webcast of the service will be available by visiting www.walkersanderson.com .