The following obituaries appeared in the February 21, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Emily Gayle Erickson Izatt passed away from pancreatic cancer on her 81st birthday, Feb. 16, 2018 at her home in Freedom surrounded by her family. She was born on Feb. 16, 1937 in Fairview, to Emily Barrus and Clarence Henry Erickson. She lived in Fairview, Auburn, Osmond and Freedom. She grew up on a farm and helped milk cows when her brothers were participating in sports. She was a Pep Star and graduated from Star Valley High in 1955.
Keith Izatt saw her at the bowling alley and told his friend that she was the one he would marry. They finally met at stake conference and began dating. She traveled with Keith’s parents to pick him up from the mission field. They married on Dec. 15, 1955 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Freedom, and raised their family there, except for when they lived in North Salt Lake.
Gayle was a hard worker. As a teenager, she worked as a waitress at the Covey Cafe and as a cashier at the Highway Market. She was the postmaster in Auburn and Freedom post offices. She was always doing service for others. She helped take care of her Grandma Erickson, Keith’s father, and her mother, Emily. When someone was sick or lost a loved one, she would always make sure to take something to the home. Gayle was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many organizations including both ward and stake Young Women’s presidency, Relief Society president and counselor, in the Primary, Sunday School, Ward Librarian and various other stake and ward callings. She and Keith served in the Iowa Des Moines mission from 1999-2000. She loved cooking, sewing, making quilts, camping and being with her family. She was very talented in writing readings for various events. Her Babe Ruth bars were always requested at family gatherings. Throughout her life she always maintained her sense of humor. She is survived by her children: Wade (Lona), Marta Rae Diamond; Dana (Stephanie), Jill Hubbard, Jan (Bryan) Miller, and Blake (Kirsti); also 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren with 2 more to come. Brothers: Val, Kay (Delsa), Steve (Betty), and Doran (Debra) Erickson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Keith, parents, sister Carol, brother Verd, grandsons Kenny Izatt and Christopher Izatt, and son-in-law Barry V Diamond. There will be a viewing at Schwab Funeral Chapel in Thayne, on Friday, Feb. 23, from 6 – 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at the Freedom LDS Chapel on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. with a viewing prior to the funeral service from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Freedom Cemetery.
Kevin Renard Carden, affectionately known as KC to most everyone, crossed the finish line of his final race in this life and passed peacefully away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Feb. 13, 2018. Born on May 10, 1967 in Dallas, Texas to Jasper & Karlean Carden, who divorced when he was young, KC spent his childhood in Dallas. He attended Dallas Roosevelt High and became part of a 1600 meter relay team which won the Texas high school championship, Texas Relays, and set a national high school record in 1984. He was also an alternate on the 1984 US Olympic team as well. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he received a degree in education, and after coaching for a year, began training race horses full time in 1991. Over the next 19 years, with 515 wins from 3673 starts at tracks throughout the country, his training program at Futurity Farms in Elgin, Texas, produced three world champions and horses which earned over $4.6 million. He also owned, bred, and trained Brindis Por Cayenne, which earned over $454,000 and has gone on to become a successful sire. He was champion trainer in 2004, 2008, and 2009, and leading owner in 2006 and 2007 in AQHA’s Racing Challenge. He met his future wife, Candice Frome, while she was working as a veterinarian in Elgin. Though he never thought he would ever settle down, true love convinced him otherwise, and they were married on Oct. 10, 2006. She started a mobile veterinary service. They spent the next several years traveling and working at various race tracks together. They welcomed a daughter, Kamryn, in 2010. She was and is, by far, his proudest achievement. KC stopped training horses once Kamryn arrived, and immensely enjoyed several years of being a full-time dad.The family settled in northern Wyoming in 2011, and together they owned and operated Powder River Veterinary Hospital in Kaycee and Sheridan. KC also continued to be involved with horse racing and ranch sorting. He was unexpectedly diagnosed with aggressive, stage 4 prostate cancer late in 2016, but continued to live life to the fullest, always thinking of others before himself, and continuing to serve them even when he was very ill. His friendly demeanor, bright smile, contagious laughter, and big heart forever endeared him to all he met. He was a very respected and dearly loved “father figure” to many young people throughout his life, and loved time spent with family and friends. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love, patience, and service will live on through all the lives he has touched. A viewing will be held Feb. 23 at Kane Funeral Home in Sheridan from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Feb. 24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sheridan at 10 a.m. A grave dedication will take place at the Grover Cemetery Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please contact Kane Funeral Home in Sheridan at 307-673-5837 if you wish to make a donation.
