Christine La Vern Carling

Christine La Vern Rawles Carling, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and dear friend to many, passed away at home unexpectedly surrounded by family and friends on Monday evening, March 7, 2022 in American Fork, Utah. She was 90 years old.

She was born on June 29, 1931 to Hazel Adele Fillmore and Christopher Ernest Rawles in the home of her grandparents, Melvin and Eliza Fillmore, in Provo, Utah. She lived her early years in Island Park, Idaho with her parents and brothers, Melvin and Author. Her father managed the privately owned Coffee Pot Lodge; the remote alpine location, along with the challenging weather, made it difficult for Christine and Melvin to receive their early education near their home, so their parents lovingly chose to send them to live with caring families during the school year. Author was 2 years old when he passed away.

Christine graduated from Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah in 1950. After graduation she went back to Idaho and worked at Mack’s Inn and Phillips Lodge; shortly thereafter, she returned to Utah to start a job as a seamstress. One life-changing day, while she worked to cover a button, Christine smashed her finger. On her way home from the doctor’s office, she saw an advertisement to join the Marines. She did just that and became a Marine at 19 years old.

It was in the Marines where Christine met her first husband, Edward Rushton. They had two children, Linda and Janet; Christine also became a step-mom to Donny. After her marriage to Edward ended, Christine met and then married Stanley James Frampton. They had six children, Stanna, Carol, Christie, Russell, Nancy, and Marilyn. Christine has always been able to recognize when life brings more sadness than joy, and so she chose to end her marriage while remaining committed to her children. Just a few years later, she met and then married Joseph Steve Johnson. They welcomed their new baby, Ryan; Steve’s children, Gale and Marsha, joined the family too. Always looking forward in difficult circumstances, after Christine’s marriage with Steve ended, she bumped into, dated, and married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Alan Otis Carling (daughter, Connie). Christine and Alan were married for 27 years, and Grandpa Alan passed away in 2014.

In her young adult life, as Christine’s children grew, her father, Christopher Rawles, came to live with them, and he bestowed his ‘English Values’ upon their daily lives. His generosity, proper manners, and work ethic helped shape Christine’s family for generations to come. Grandpa Chris, who was born in East Tisted, England on January 30, 1886, remained with the family until his death in 1982.

With the help of her devoted father, Christine graduated from Utah Valley Vocational School in Provo and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at Utah Valley Hospital for 36 years, and then part-time at Charter Canyon School for another 5 years. She loved taking care of others and helping anyone in need: for many years she drove to St. George, Utah to care for her aunt and uncle, Mary and Woodrow Fillmore. She also welcomed family into her home for as much time as necessary when the need arose, and relatives lived with her for the rest of her life.

Christine loved the Presbyterian Church and cherished her gatherings with friends. She seemed to only sit down when she was enjoying bridge club, her art classes, or when she would crochet and make blankets. Christine carried on the yearly traditions of her father, planting a garden and sharing bushels of delicious vegetables; she always valued the work it takes to keep the weeds away. Christine loved her grandchildren with all her heart: she attended countless events, games, plays and recitals, and she was committed to their success and happiness. Christine was also dedicated to her close hiking friends: when their ages would no longer allow them to hike together, she came to them for lunch, conversations, and to relive their times in the National Parks and the Wasatch Mountains. Christine read the Provo Daily Herald, loved politics, never stopped learning, and frequently shared her up-to date knowledge of current events with friends and family. She loved her sons-in-law as her own children, teasing them and developing a personal relationship with each one.

Christine was always on the move, and she often said: “…if I was asked to go anywhere, I would go.” Her children would often take her for long car rides to see the beauty of nature and witness Utah’s growth. Christine lived energetically to the end of her life.

Like her father before her, Christine will leave a lasting legacy for those whose lives she touched forever. She will be remembered for generations through her selfless deeds, her artwork, and her life lessons; she has bequeathed one of her paintings to each of her children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the Community Presbyterian Church (75 North 100 East, American Fork, Utah). Friends may visit with the family from 4-4:30 p.m., Pastor Phil Hughes will begin the service at 4:30 p.m., and Military Honors will take place at 5:15 p.m.

Christine always loved flowers! Family and friends would often bring flowers to birthday celebrations, which would be combined to create beautiful bouquets. Please join us in keeping this tradition alive by bringing a flower or two to fill the vases.

Christine is survived by her brother, Melvin Rawles; her daughters, Stanna Frampton (Cliff Coury), Carol Nielson, Christie (Dan) Snyder, Nancy Carter (Dave Higbee), Marilyn (Scott) Weeks, and Marsha Steggell; her son, Ryan Johnson; 25 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and her niece, Julie Rawles George.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Otis Carling; daughters, Linda Emmett, Janet Madill, and Gale Proctor; son, James Russell Frampton; nephew, Chris Rawles; and her grandchildren, Rachel Tolton, Brandie Hooley, Thomas Chambley, and Ariel Bishop.

Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.