Obituary of Karla Tolley

Twin Falls, Idaho — Karla Marie Stanger Tolman Tolley (66) peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018. She was born April 20th, 1951 in Twin Falls, Idaho to LeRoy Verl and Joyce Marie (Drown) Stanger. When Karla was three years old, she was traveling home with her mother Joyce, her big sister Tina, and baby brother David Layne when they were involved in an automobile accident. Karla was the only survivor. She has always felt that Heavenly Father saved her to be the mother of her four children. Her grandmother, Mary Stanger, came to live with the family and raised Karla and her sister Linda for five years. When Karla was eight years old, her dad married Margie Dae Madsen. Margie had two girls of her own, Patrice and Carolee. The four girls became close sisters and Margie loved Karla and Linda like her own. Their brother Jim was later born and completed the family. Karla was raised in the Hansen and Murtaugh area. She enjoyed making friends and attending school at Hansen Elementary and Hansen High School. She moved with her family in June of 1964 to Murtaugh, Idaho, where her father farmed with his brother Floyd and Ray Stanger. Karla enjoyed attending Seminary and High School in Murtaugh where she made many great friends. She played the clarinet and the accordion. She started teaching the Sunbeams in the LDS Church right after she graduated from High School. Her passion for teaching and helping others was evident throughout her life. On July 3, 1969, Karla married Lawrence Dale Tolman and in 1970, the family was sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were blessed with four children; Becky Jo, Ryan Scott, Randy Dale, and Jared James. She went to many of their activities and loved supporting them throughout their lives. They were the joy of her life, next to her grandchildren. Karla and Lawrence divorced in 1997. She served as the 1st counselor in the Regional LDS Singles Program of the Church and she loved her time in this calling. She met her husband, Benjamin Kenneth Tolley, at a singles dance in Burley and they were married and sealed on March 25, 2006 in the Boise Idaho Temple. They loved to dance, travel, and spend time with their family at reunions and camping trips. One of the many things they did together was travel to Indiana for one of her grandchildren's baptism. During this trip they were able to visit Mount Rushmore as well as many LDS Church history sites, including the Nauvoo Temple and Carthage Jail. It was a once in a life time experience for both of them. Ben was such a blessing in Karla's life. He lovingly cared for her throughout her many illnesses and especially in her final days. Ben was a joy to her and she loved him dearly. They loved traveling and seeing their grandkids whenever possible. It was a highlight each time she arrived at their homes. Oh, how she loved her grandchildren. Being with them were the moments she lived for. She was very active in the LDS Church and had a strong testimony of the gospel and believed in its principles. She loved going to the temple, and singing in the choir for the Boise Temple dedication was one of the highlights of her life. She served in many church callings throughout her life including Primary Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Relief Society President, and Compassionate Service Coordinator. She also had a great love of scouting and one of her favorite callings was teaching the Blazer Scouts. She influenced many young boys as they learned to build fires, hike, cook, and earn merit badges. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband Ben Tolley, mother Margie Shelby; children Becky (Paul) Kearsley, Ryan (Deanna) Tolman, Randy (Marci) Tolman, Jared (Jessica) Tolman, Karson (Lawna) Tolley, and Matt (Amy) Tolley; Sisters Linda Crandall, Patrice Powers, and Carolee Arrington, Brother James Stanger; 22 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her father LeRoy, mother Joyce, sister Christina, brother David Layne, her grandparents, and a grandson Jestin. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 11:00 in the morning at the Twin Falls 17th Ward Chapel, 2680 Elizabeth Boulevard, Twin Falls, Idaho. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 6-8 in the evening at the Rosenau Funeral Home, 2826 Addison Ave. E, Twin Falls, Idaho. Interment will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho.