Carol Jean DeLand

Carol Jean Whitaker DeLand was surrounded by loved ones when she passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, in West Jordan, Utah. She was born to Ronald Goddard Whitaker and Laura Mae Johnston on April 27, 1936, in Twin Falls, Idaho. Carol lived a long life full of faith, love, and sacrifice. She spent her younger years in Nyssa and Portland, Oregon as well as Ogden, Utah. Her mother died when she was only 15 years old, and she felt that loss deeply throughout her life. When Carol was young, she contracted an illness that damaged her heart, and was told she would have to limit her activities and would never be able to handle pregnancy or childbirth. However, being told what she could and couldn’t do never held her back. She refused to limit her activities and would eventually give birth to six children.

Carol had a constant thirst for knowledge. She loved learning and loved to share what she learned with others. She attended Brigham Young University and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education. She loved attending Brigham Young University’s Education Week and did so diligently for over 50 years. Carol was a talented seamstress, cook, and teacher. She loved researching her family history, writing family histories, and organizing fantastic family reunions.

During her senior year at Brigham Young University, Carol met and fell in love with Richard LeRoy DeLand. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on August 15, 1958. From that moment forward, Carol and Richard were an inseparable team. They faced life’s many challenges as one, and never stopped loving each other for a single moment. They settled down in the state of Utah and lived in the city of West Jordan for over 52 years.

Her faith was one of the most important aspects of her life. She showed an interest in God at a young age and chose to attend church on her own. She gained a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and chose to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of nine. Over the years, she served in many callings and made a difference in many lives. She particularly enjoyed transcribing Patriarchal Blessings for her husband Richard, who was a stake Patriarch for 33 years. She and Richard had the wonderful opportunity to serve the people of Samoa with the Church Educational System in the 1960s; and serve two senior missions together: one in Baltimore, Maryland in the early 1990s, and the other in Mesa, Arizona in the 2000s. She faithfully served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple for several years.

Carol cherished the opportunity to be a mother and dedicated her life to raising her six children. She was a devoted grandmother and spent countless hours loving and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always prepared with snacks, treats, and fun board games.

Carol is survived by her husband Richard LeRoy DeLand; her six children: Kathleen Peterson (Doug), Steven (Stacey), Karen Bruening (Merlin), Ronald, Brent, and Jennifer Rowland (Jeff); her 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; stepmother Barbara Whitaker; and her two half-brothers: Keith Whitaker (Candy), and Kent Whitaker (Tammy). She was preceded in death by her parents Ronald Goddard Whitaker and Laura Mae Johnston, as well as her sister Sharon Mayberry.

The Viewing and Funeral Service will be held Saturday December 28, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 4825 W. 7000 S. West Jordan, Utah 84081. The Viewing will be from 9:00 to 10:45 AM. The Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Memorial Cemetery, 6500 S. Redwood Road West Jordan, Utah.