Karla Craner

After a year of courageously battling pancreatic cancer, it is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Karla Jean Craner. Karla was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, teacher, coworker, and friend. Karla passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her children on November 15, 2025 leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, learning, and laughter.

Karla was born in Provo, Utah on November 30, 1965 to Carl and Jeri Craner. Karla spent her childhood engaged in learning at school. Girl Scouts took her to adventures in Wyoming, Florida, and Europe. Later, Karla was a devout member of Timpview High School’s Drill Team, Marching Band, and the Homemaking Sterling Scholar. She enjoyed many associations with friends in the Edgemont neighborhood and attended every high school dance she could.

As a young adult, Karla found herself as a nanny in New York. These times of isolation and hard work contributed greatly to her personal conversion to the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As an adult, Karla served diligently in many primary, nursery, and relief society teaching positions.

Karla had many talents. She was a master seamstress, although she only admitted to enjoying sewing as a hobby. She sewed her children’s clothes, doll clothes, baptism dresses, prom dresses, and endless quilts.

Karla was a believer in education. She received a certificate in Early Childhood Development from UVSC (UVU) and moved on to study at Utah State University where she earned Bachelor degrees in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education. While at Utah State, Karla married. Once graduated, she moved to Provo, Spanish Fork, and finally, Payson.

Karla was a business owner for most of her life, leading a preschool in her home and teaching many young children in her neighborhoods. Divorce led her to find full time work; teaching Kindergarten at CS Lewis Academy and first grade at Meadow Brook Elementary. Karla taught for 26 years in total; even teaching through 11 months of extensive pain and treatment during her fight with cancer. Her colleagues remember her as the one always willing to try something new as well as have the item they needed in her “Mary Poppins” classroom.

Karla was not just a teacher; she was a mentor, guide, professional, and had a knack for sparking the joy of learning into her students. She loved kids and loved seeing the spark in their eyes when they figured something out. She encouraged those she taught to never stop learning.

Karla's legacy extends beyond her professional and educational achievements. Words cannot express how deeply she cared for her five children. She devoted her life to making theirs better. Karla believed in the power of education to transform lives, and she passed that love along to her children who all have earned many collegiate degrees and accomplishments. Karla was always there; helping her children in every way and encouraging them when they fell short.

Karla was also a loving friend, a cherished family member, and the most animated person we know. Her generosity, compassion, laughter, and enduring hope and strength touched the lives of everyone she met. Those who took the time to get to know Karla, truly, truly loved and admired her. In her sister Michelle’s words, “You broke the cycle, Karla. You rocked it. You should be proud.”

Karla is survived by her father, four siblings, five children: Kayla (Tyler) Bonzo, Katrina (Allen) Graves, Kilee Christensen, Kayson (Kendra) Christensen, Kareena Christensen, and four grandchildren: Ivy & Leo Bonzo and Alta & Ronnie Graves. She is preceded in death by one angel baby girl Karalee, her mother and one brother.

Karla’s life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Mountain View 2nd Ward Chapel, 75 South 600 East Street, Payson, Utah. The family will receive friends from 9-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will follow in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended online at www.bergmortuary.com.

Her children would like to thank Dr Nathan Peterson, Nurse Brittany, and the countless other doctors, nurses, techs, and medical staff that treated our Mom. Your kindness and care will always hold a special place in our lives.