Carol Ann Johnson graduated from this life peacefully on October 21, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah after 82 years of a life well lived. On December 25, 1942, our Christmas Carol was born in Dowagiac, Michigan to Floyd E. Ingersoll and Virginia Benson Ingersoll. Carol lived a life marked by devotion—to her family, her faith, and her calling as a nurse.
From an early age, Carol demonstrated sharp intellect and great determination. A reader before starting kindergarten (thanks to her older sister, Judy, and hours of playing school), she skipped the fourth grade and graduated at 17 having married her Keith on June 10th, 1960, the day before her high school graduation, wearing her wedding dress for both occasions. Later, she pursued a career in nursing, graduating in 1974. She worked as a Registered Nurse for nearly 30 years and especially loved working in the maternity ward and was always eager to learn new things. Her passion for caregiving made it difficult to decide when to retire, a testament to how deeply she valued her work and those she served. The majority of her career was spent working graveyard shifts and she continued to stay up with the skunks her whole life.
A woman of many talents and interests, she found joy in crocheting intricate patterns making doll clothes and beanies for babies, dancing, traveling, writing newsy heartfelt letters, creating and sending handmade cards to celebrate birthdays, reading good books, sharing stories, listening to her records (especially Elvis and Hawaiian music), doing genealogy and cultivating friendships. She crocheted daily to provide hundreds of life-saving beanies for those in the NICUs of St. George Regional and Primary Children’s hospitals. She completed her final bag full of beanies, which her husband delivered, the day before her passing. These hobbies reflect her: vibrant spirit, desire to give service and to create and maintain connections with those she loved.
Central to her life was her faith and relationship with the Savior as a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Carol served faithfully in numerous callings throughout the years. She was a beloved Primary chorister and taught Gospel Doctrine, Relief Society, and early morning Seminary. Together with her devoted husband of 65 years, she served a mission in Germany, returning to where she had lived as a young teenager with her military family. Her love for her numerous ward families and neighbors was profound and enduring.
Carol faced many challenges with courage and grace, most notably living with diabetes for 61 years. She embraced her earthly graduation with peace and readiness, expressing happiness returning to the other side of the veil, to be reunited with loved ones and in anticipation of receiving a perfected body.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband Keith Orval Johnson; children Darlene Smeltzer (Hal), Brian Johnson (Judy), Joanna Tapasa (Solomona), Karina Barrett (Justin), Aaron Johnson (Zenaida), Roxanne Coston (Nate); siblings Judy Black, John Ingersoll, Jack Hawkins, Rita Amick, and Bob Ingersoll; many grandchildren (17 + spouses), great grandchildren (17) and countless cousins. Now reunited with her children Virginia and Eric Johnson; parents Floyd and Virginia Benson Ingersoll; and dad Elvey Hawkins, Carol’s legacy lives on through those who knew and loved her—a legacy of resilience, faithfulness, compassion and joy.
Celebrated with a heartfelt “Aloha ‘Oe – Until we meet again”, her memorial was held October 30, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Green Lake Chapel, in Cedar City, Utah with many friends and family in attendance. May her memory bring comfort to all who were blessed to know her. To share online condolences, please visit www.mortuary.org.