Gayle Snyder Carter was born on August 26, 1934, in her family home in Santaquin, Utah. She was the 6th of 7 children and the only daughter born to Cornelius John Van Ausdal and Lavona Dorothy Larsen. Gayle jokingly remembers growing up climbing trees to safely avoid her four older rambunctious brothers.
Gayle met LaMar H. Snyder at a scout dance when she was 13. He hitch-hiked over 20 miles from Nephi, Utah to Santaquin for years to see her. He was drafted into the service in September 1952 and served until August 1954. While waiting for LaMar to return Gayle waited and planned their wedding. The couple didn’t waste any time and were married on August 26th, 1954, in her family’s home. They were later sealed in the St. George temple.
Not many couples get to say their marriage was a “walk in the park”, but Gayle and LaMar could, quite literally. Shortly after marriage, they worked for Utah Parks Company a division of the Union Pacific Railroad, who maintained the concessions at several parks. Gayle and LaMar had the unique experience of living on-site while they managed the lodges at Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, and the Grand Canyon, in addition to their work at Zion National Park. They enlisted the help of a niece, Karyl, who watched the couple’s children while they worked. Gayle and her family developed a lasting love of nature and the majesty of the parks. They moved to Cedar City, Utah, when their oldest child started school in 1961.
Gayle was a dedicated wife and loving mother to three daughters. She also worked at Mountain Bell as a telephone operator and in the engineering department. After LaMar’s passing in 2007, totaling 53 devoted years of marriage, she later married Jack H. Carter on November 1st, 2011. He promised her 10 years of marriage. Gayle received an additional 3 “bonus” years, totaling 13 wonderful years of marriage, before he passed away on April 14th, 2024. Gayle and her daughters were welcomed and accepted into the extensive Carter family. Before Jack’s passing, he and Gayle spent countless hours serving in both the Cedar City and St. George temples, showing just how important church and family were to them. They served there together for over 10 years.
Gayle was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many different capacities. She remained busy and active until the very end. She was known for her compassionate caregiving, making each family member and friend feel like they were her favorite.
Gayle passed away in her home on December 30, 2024, knowing how much she was loved by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.
Gayle is survived by her daughter Gaya Guymon (George), daughter Trudy Widup (Gregg), son-in-law Kelly Knell, stepchildren Doug Carter (Tammy), Donna Adams (Jack), Paula Merrell (Brent), and David Carter (Carolyn), as well as her brothers Leo Neil Van Ausdal (Jeannine) and Buddy Lee Van Ausdal. Gayle also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and countless nieces and nephews.
Gayle is preceded in death by her husband LaMar H. Snyder, husband Jack H. Carter, daughter Lynda Knell, siblings Dwayne Van Ausdal (Mildred), JR Van Ausdal (LaRue), unnamed child, and Teddy Van Ausdal (Violet), and sister-in-law Vicky Van Ausdal.
Viewing and funeral services will be held at the church building located at 1925 West 320 South, Cedar City, Utah. A viewing will occur on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 6-8 PM, and again on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10-11:30 AM, with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 pm. The interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. To view a live stream of the service or to leave online condolences for the family please visit www.mortuary.org
The family wishes to express special gratitude to Ethan Bunker for his compassionate care and to the 16th Ward Relief Society for providing the luncheon and music assistance honoring Gayle’s amazing legacy of service.