Carole Dawn Zollinger Smith

Our family matriarch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her home on Thursday, February 27th. Her name is expressed as she defined herself, “Carole” – “I have a “song of joy” in my heart to sing” and “Dawn” – “as the sun gives rise to a new day - so would my day in all its “magnificence and splendor” be spent with those I love and cherish.” Our mother would be considered a courageous, strong, and loving woman who spent a lifetime giving her love, support, and charitable acts unconditionally to family, friends, and new acquaintances.

 Carole Dawn Zollinger was born August 29, 1943, and was raised on a farm in Thatcher, Box Elder, Utah being the first and only daughter after three brothers born to Lyman Zollinger (deceased) and Ruth Redford (deceased). She had three brothers precede her birth – Robert Zollinger (deceased) (Fawnice) of Utah, Clair Zollinger (Tam) of Utah, Larry Douglas Zollinger (deceased) (MarJean) of Utah, Ronald Zollinger (Eva Kay) of Utah, Matt Zollinger (Linda), of Utah, and Richard Zollinger (Teri) of Washington.

 She attended Thatcher Elementary School (Utah), Bear River High School (Tremonton), Utah State University for two years (Logan), and L.D.S. Business College for one quarter (Salt Lake City), and Belmont Montessori School for two years (Kansas City, Missouri). She received her P.H.T. degree (“Put Hubby Through” dental and graduate school in orthodontics) in Kansas City, Missouri and officially continued working for her husband at the Roy, Utah orthodontic office and also at home over the extended (45+) years of her married life.

 She received her Montessori Degree after completing a two-year theory and practical course in Kansas City, Missouri and then started her own Heritage Montessori Pre-School located in Roy, Utah serving 17 years as owner, directress and teacher of some 341 students, and all eight of her children; “being an advocate for children”.

 She waited for her missionary sweetheart “who was the love of her life”, Darrell Smith. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan L.D.S. Temple December 1963. They have always revered each other as “best working friends and eternal mates”, celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary.

 Our mother was blessed with an exuberant abundance of energy bringing forth eight healthy children whom she prized as some of her greatest blessings on earth and numbering her paired two sets of daughters as a “gift from heaven” as she did not have any sisters of her own. Her beloved children includes; Jeffrey & Pritzi Smith, Debra Kohli, Susan & Jeff Ellis, Curtis & Kelly Smith, Christine Smith, Cari & Brock Burningham, Michael & Tai Smith, and Greg & Dana Smith.

 Her 27 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren have been a source of “profound joy and happiness” for her. Rich family traditions and memories have been deeply rooted from raising her family in Roy, UT, adding wonderful experiences at their Bear Lake cabin, hosting many family reunions, fishing in Montana, joining in extended family Yellowstone camping and fishing trips, prizing her trips to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and then on to Mesoamerica for a Book of Mormon tour to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Caribbean cruise ship ports. She also traveled to Germany, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, including 44 out of 50 U.S. states.

 She acknowledges her allegiance to her own Smith family, Chugg family, Zollinger & Redford families ancestry by working endless hours in family history, providing numerous personal and missionary scrapbooks for her husband and each of her eight children. She presently is completing a thousand page comprehensive written family history and also individual histories for her husband, herself, and each of her eight children. She published a Children’s Storybook about her “Childhood Magical Memories”. Our mother gave undaunted support to her husband and six of her children in their missionary labors. She helped her four sons receive their Eagle Scout awards and four daughters plus herself received the Young Women’s Medallion. She was given “Scouter of the Year Award”, after serving in the Cub Scout Program for many years, and as Cub Master for three years—having all Cub Scouts in her area receive the Arrow of Light Award. She coached four soccer teams in one season for her five children and was chosen as A.Y.S.O. All-Star & State All-Star competition coach three years for a boys’ soccer team taking numerous Championship Awards for the boys and also several girl’s teams. She set her own record in her younger years by being a “home run hitter” and played 1st base in softball.

 She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with church membership presently at the Tri-Oaks Ward in Layton, Utah. Her favorite church callings would include-faithful (almost 100%) visiting teacher for over 20 years, nursery leader, Primary and Sunday School teacher, Stake and Ward YW advisor, Gospel Essential’s teacher, Young Single Adult: “Caring Couple”, Stake Missionary, Matriarch at Aaron’s Camp for three years, and Bishop’s wife for five years. Throughout her life, she has touched the lives of many- “young and old” – and has regarded each individual as her “kindred spirit”.

 In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to be made to the Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah and/or Utah Schools for the Deaf & Blind, 742 S. Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Utah 84404; (801) 629-4700.

 The family wishes to express deep appreciation to all of the McKay-Dee Hospital Staff and Surgeons, IHC Home Health and Hospice, Amada Senior Care of Layton, Utah and other caretakers.

 Funeral services will be held Friday March 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tri-Oaks Ward Chapel, 2375 E. 3225 N., Layton, Utah. Family and friends may visit Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, March 7, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the chapel prior to the service.

 Interment will be held at the Smithfield Cemetery, 300 E. Center St., Smithfield, Utah 84335.

 The funeral service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Carole’s obituary page at www.lindquistmortuary.com, which will be available 10 minutes prior to the funeral service.

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