Carolyn Lewis Kay

Carolyn Lewis Kay passed away surrounded by her husband and children at her home in Logan, Utah on July 11, 2023. Carolyn was born November 5, 1944 in Cody, Wyoming to Elroy and Virginia Lewis. She was the oldest of six children and had many fond memories of growing up in the small Wyoming towns of Cowley and Byron.

She loved growing up in Wyoming and was proud of her Wyoming roots. She enjoyed spending time working outside with her dad while he milked cows, baled hay or harvested grain. She always tried to milk a cow, but could never get the gist of it. One day, when she was about three years old, she was out with her dad irrigating and her dad could hear her yelling, “Rabbit, Rabbit” and pointing to the ground next to her. She kept yelling and her dad knew that if there was really a rabbit there it would be long gone. He came over and killed a rattlesnake that was coiled and ready to strike right next to her.

Carolyn loved to read. When she was young she would go to the library that was in the high school about a half block from her home and get different books to read. She would then go to the store and get a few candy bars and sit under the apple trees in her yard and read all kinds of books.

She learned to drive when she was 11 years old while taking her dad’s cattle to Dryhead. She would chase the cattle for a while then go back and get the pick up. When she was 15 she got a job at Big Horn Canning Factory where her dad worked. At the factory she would feed ears of corn into the husker and the juice would squirt all over her while she did this, but it was fun to work there with her friends.

Carolyn and her mom would ride a bus 80 miles to Billings to take dance lessons. She also took singing and piano lessons and had a scar on her leg from when her mom was chasing her trying to get her to practice and she ran into the cedar chest and cut her leg. Her piano practice paid off as she was able to play the piano and organ at church.

While in high school she participated in band, choir, baton twirling, was editor of the newspaper, first attendant at Junior Prom and placed in the science fair three years in a row. She graduated from Byron High School as the salutatorian and from LDS Seminary in 1962 at the age of 17. Carolyn and family continued to return to Cowley, Byron and Lovell for many summers to visit beloved friends and family.

After her family moved to Logan, Utah, Carolyn continued her education at Utah State graduating in 1966 with a degree in Home Economics. After graduating, she spent 3 years teaching Home Ec at Bonneville High School. During this time she bought a turquoise firebird convertible that she and her family enjoyed driving in and still own. For many summers they could be seen driving their Firebird around town and in the Cache Valley Cruise In parade.

While at Utah State she played her saxophone in the Aggie marching band and met a handsome young man that made her laugh and always showed her a good time. Carolyn and Lynn had their first date on November 27, 1964 and were married exactly 4 years later to the day on November 27, 1968. One of the highlights of her life was later being sealed together for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on October 6, 1978.

Lynn and Carolyn worked together for many years as wedding and family photographers and at Utah State Photo Services. In their early years of marriage they also had a lot of fun taking photos at horse shows. Lynn and Carolyn enjoyed getting up early on Saturday mornings and finding treasures at garage sales. Carolyn loved collecting dolls and barbies. Her home was filled with these dolls that she enjoyed collecting so much. She was an excellent seamstress and would create custom dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She loved sewing, knitting, ceramics and needlework and created many beautiful items such as dresses, quilts, blankets, dolls, doll clothes and embroidered wall hangings for her children, grandchildren and many others. She had a love for music and was a charter member of the Northern Utah Choral Society for 18 years. While in the choir she traveled and sang in New York, Vancouver, Washington DC and Hawaii. She was thrilled to perform in Lincoln Center while in New York.

When you met Carolyn she was instantly your friend and she would talk and laugh with complete strangers like they had known each other for years. She was always laughing and her laugh will be greatly missed. Carolyn was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent many hours doing family history work. She took many classes at the Logan LDS Institute as an adult and received three graduation certificates. She loved supporting and attending the recitals, games, concerts and activities that her children and grandchildren were a part of. Her husband, children and grandchildren were the center of her life and they will dearly miss her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elroy Robertson Lewis and Virginia Stolpe Lewis, and by her little brother, Stephen Stolpe Lewis.

She is survived by her husband Lynn, their children; Kerianne (Eric) Hoth, Brady (Christy) Kay and Clarissa (Tim) Campbell and 10 grandchildren; Harrison, Keri, Spencer, Kaylee, Hanna, Payton, Toby, Alina, Amelia and Kaitlyn. She is also survived by her siblings, Marie (Stephen) Harward, Philip (Carla) Lewis, and twins Kay (Kent) Haueter and Kent (Ruth) Lewis.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the Hillcrest Ward Chapel, 875 N. 1500 E. in Logan. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral at the church. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary.

If you were not able to watch the funeral live, you can click on the following link to watch a recording of the funeral.
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