Ramona Pearl (Gustafson) Carroll

Our dear sweet wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully April 17, 2023, with her family by her side.

Ramona Pearl Gustafson Carroll “Tootsie” was born on December 1, 1933 to George C and Pearl Youngberg Gustafson. She grew up in East Millcreek, Utah where she had many fond memories which she shared often with us of her childhood on 2300 East. She graduated from Granite High School. She waited faithfully for her sweetheart, Charles Thomas Carroll while he served an LDS mission, and then served in the Korean War. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on August 24, 1953.

Mom learned her love of cooking from her Swedish grandmother; baking by her side as a young girl. Her grandmother nick named her “Stumpefia.” Mom worked for Birekland’s Catering where she continued her love of preparing and serving food. She worked for Thrifty Foods where she packaged candy. There was always a treat to share with us. She also worked for Dan’s Foods in the bakery. Mom’s loves of food and baking showed in various employments she had throughout her life.

Family was the center of our mother’s life. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren fiercely. She made each of us feel so very special. When she had a party, it was an orchestrated event full of food, games and fun. She loved shopping and bought the most random and fun gifts. Mom loved the holidays and made them very special. She would cook for days and put on the biggest spread of yummy food. Her shrimp dinner at Christmas was one of our favorites. She would have fun games to play to win her “special” prizes she had bought. Everyone looked forward to her birthday or Christmas gifts. You never knew what fun gifts you would receive. They were the best!

Mother Teresa had nothing on our mother. Mom cared for the weak, she helped the lonely and lifted up the downtrodden. Whether it was serving lemonade to the garbage man, helping someone financially or just being there when someone needed to talk. Her testimony of the gospel was evident through the service she provided to many through meals and ward parties. She served in the Relief Society, Young Women’s and many years on the activities committee. She was always willing to help with any party in her ward or with her family.

We will miss her and her grand parties. We are grateful to have all her recipes and will carry on her traditions with our own families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Jaret (Diane) Gustafson, Dean (Kathy) Gustafson, Leander “LG” Gustafson, and Charlotte Gustafson (Francis) Wankier.

She is survived by her children: Laurey Thomas (Kari) Carroll, Brenda Pearl Carroll, Lonney Gustaf Carroll, and Linn Ernest (Sylvia) Carroll. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and a sister-in-law Carol Gustafson.

A viewing will be held at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Millcreek, Utah, on Sunday, April 23rd from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at Murray City Cemetery, 5490 South Vine Street, Murray, Utah, on Monday April 24th at 11:00 AM.

We wish to thank Escalante at Coventry in Cottonwood Heights and Inspiration Home Health Hospice for the special care they gave our mother through her final days.

Mom would always say, “It’s a different world out there,” and it definitely will be a different world out there without you, mom. We love and miss you.