Carolyn Tidwell

Carolyn Tidwell
Ephraim, Utah

Carolyn Maurine Hansen Tidwell, 92 passed away September 11, 2024 at her home in Ephraim Utah. Carolyn was born at home in Ephraim, Utah on "Becky's Lane" 335 W. 100 S, on June 14, 1932 to Arvel and Melba Hansen, the second of four children. 

 During her youth she herded cows for 1 cent per cow and cleaned homes for 25 cents an hour. In high school and college she worked at the 89 Café for 35 to 50 cents an hour. 

Carolyn, "Grama T or Grandma Grape" as the grandkids called her was happiest at family events. The family events emphasized Carolyn's love of life whether it was canning pears, sewing quilts, Easter and Christmas parties, making family calendars or Sunday dinners with pot roast and banana creme pie. Her life view was, I would rather wear out than rust out. 

Carolyn's greatest legacy is her family, she taught by example, worked hard and showed that though you may not be perfect - just pick yourself up when things are tough and move forward. 

Carolyn's high school and college were combined at Snow College in Ephraim where she was Sophomore Class President, Junior Prom Queen and Class Valedictorian. Her future husband Wallace was in the Army and when he was on leave from Germany in 1952 they were married.

Carolyn’s career began in Federal Civil Service as she traveled the world as Wally was transferred. In Civil Service she started as a stenographer then Military Intelligence and Finance. After Wally was transferred to Fort Douglas, Carolyn settled in Utah, her forever home and began working at Vancott Bagley, a Salt Lake law firm as the computer manager.

Carolyn retired in 1994 and left the big city Salt Lake to come back to Ephraim. She did not stay retired long and started her Ephraim career as a Snow College Proctor and then as the administrator of the Ephraim Senior Center. As the Senior Center Administrator, Carolyn loved working with the Scandinavian festival by planning events at the Senior Center, making homemade ice-cream, calling Bingo, making quilts for auction and having her family face paint for the festival kids. In 2019 she was the Scandinavian Festival Grand Marshall. 

In Carolyn's own words, “it has been a good, fulfilling life filled with work related success, beautiful marriage and children and the opportunity to travel extensively.”

Carolyn is survived by her children, Justin (Ruby) Tidwell, Bill (Jeanie) Tidwell, Tom (Ruth) Tidwell and Sue (Henry) Reese, her grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. 

 A viewing will be held September 23, 2024 at the Ephraim 6th Ward, 450 N 200 W, from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be at Camp Williams, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah, September 24, 2024 at 12 Noon with a service in the chapel.

 Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com