Carol was born April 11, 1931 to Eugene Franklin and Ruth Mears Gerstner in Salt Lake City, Utah. She enjoyed growing up along the Wasatch front with her parents, brothers Sonny and Jerry, and sister Shirley. She always spoke of how their family got along so well, and how they pulled together during difficult times, such as during the great depression era and WWII. She often spoke of fond memories like “cruising State Street” with Shirley and friends in her convertible, adorned with fins her Dad had surprised her with, and attending Bible studies with the young adults group at First Baptist Church. Carol was frequently told how pretty her handwriting was, and she developed artistic talents in drawing and calligraphy, and enjoyed spending time sketching lovely portraits and landscapes.
Carol attended Granite High School and later Stevens–Henager College where she learned short-hand, typing, bookkeeping and other business skills. She worked in a bakery, at Mountain Bell as a telephone operator, and in the offices of Hayes Buick and then Filtrol Corporation where she met her husband of 54 years, Warren Edward Havell. In 1965, Carol married Warren and soon thereafter they had two children, Christopher and Kimberly, whom they raised in the Holladay-Cottonwood area. Later when her kids were grown, she returned to work part-time in the office at National Self-Storage and Intermountain Products.
Carol was a devoted wife and mother for her family. Her proudest achievements were centered around her family, being a mother to her children, maintaining close relationships with her parents, brothers and sister and their families, where she enjoyed helping build strong relationships. Carol enjoyed being a “Camp Mom” on extended family camping trips to Yellowstone and Utah’s National Parks, planning evening picnics up Millcreek Canyon, taking the kids to Lagoon, and taking turns at Sunday roast dinners.
Carol loved being surrounded by her grandchildren, and spending time with them at Sedona walking by the creek, playing in the winter snow, and being with them at the swimming pool. She loved all children in general, and befriended many neighborhood children. She would frequently stop to talk to children wherever she would meet them, and loved giving them treats and making them smile.
Upon retirement, Carol and Warren moved to Arizona, where she enjoyed more sun and relief from Utah winters. She loved gardening, especially planting flowers and cultivating her rose gardens. Carol’s love of children led her to provide daycare to kids at KinderCare. She also had a strong love for animals, and always had pets in her home. More recently, she adopted mother and daughter kitties whom she enjoyed, loved and cared for until her passing.
Carol professed Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. She tried to live a life pleasing to God, and endeavored to instill the same in her progeny. She enjoyed attending Arizona Community Church services and Bible study classes.
Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Warren E. Havell, her parents, Eugene and Ruth Gerstner, and her two brothers, Gene Frank Gerstner and Gerald Wayne Gerstner. Carol will be missed by her two children, Christopher Havell (Stephanie) and Kimberly Havell Keller. She will also be fondly remembered by her four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, her sister Shirley Meyer (Kenneth), and other relatives and friends.
A viewing will be held in memory of Carol at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ, with entombment to directly follow.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Carol to the Animal Defense League of Arizona (ADLA) www.adlaz.org.
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