Joyce B. Karcich Keller
Martha Joyce Bird Karcich Keller, our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, age 81 of Price, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2011 following complications from surgery. She was the third of nine children and was born on Mother's Day in the year of the Great Depression on May 12, 1929 to Isaac Wilford and Edna Pearl Roper Bird in Bluebell, Utah. She married Victor John Karcich on March 1, 1951 in Price, Utah. Marriage later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. They were blessed with five children, which they raised on the family farm in Carbonville. Victor passed away April 6, 1977. She later married Carl L. Keller on March 15, 1985 in the Provo LDS Temple. They enjoyed traveling and served in the Oklahoma-Tulsa Mission in Arkansas. Carl passed away September 23, 1999.
Mom grew up in Bluebell and attended school in Bluebell and Altamont. At the age of 14 she moved to Price. She was an active member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served in many callings, she especially loved working in the many facets of family history. She was active with the Carbon County Senior Line Dancers, taught Genealogy, was a seamstress and loved making quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom was never afraid to try anything and was self-taught in many things, including woodworking and using the computer. Her true passion was her family and she cherished the family outings and get togethers. Mom took great pride in watching her children and grandchildren grow and succeed in life.
Mom will be dearly missed by her children David (Stephanie) Karcich, Karen (Michael) Martinez, Nyla (Chuck) Noyes, Shelley (Deano) Kontgas, and Matt Karcich all of Price, 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren including two on the way; stepchildren Sandra, Karlene, Dennis, Jon and Ann and their families. Survived by siblings Ida Cook of Vernal, Diantha Hadden of Wellington, Judith (Eugene) Brundage, Grace Cook, Telitha Parry all of Bluebell, and Wilford (Mary) Bird of Missouri.
Preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and sisters Leona Burson and Iva Jensen.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at the Price North Stake Center, 449 N. 100 East, Price, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at Fausett Mortuary, 680 E. 100 S., Price, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in the Price City Cemetery. Friends and family may sign the guest book and share memories of Joyce at www.faussettmortuary.com.