Alice Josephine Karpowitz

Alice Josephine Hanks Karpowitz, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 18, 2017. She was born June 3, 1920, in Tooele, Utah, the daughter of Charles Arthur and Emma Russell Hanks.

Alice was reared and educated in Tooele and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology from the University of Utah. While attending college she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and two service clubs – the Spurs and the Live Wires. She worked at the Salt Lake General Hospital for a time and for the Fur Breeders Co-op as a lab technician for several years.

She married her sweetheart Frank Bruno Karpowitz in the Salt Lake Temple on August 18, 1950. Family was always her top priority. She utilized her abundance of talents in tirelessly serving them. She was patient, understanding, and a source of continual support. She was an amazing cook who made mealtimes special. Holidays and birthdays were always memorable occasions. Her sewing skills were unparalleled. Family members were the beneficiaries of gifts of clothing made with love. Quilting was another passion, and she made beautiful quilts for every child and grandchild. She was a gifted artist who loved and appreciated the wonders of the outdoors and who instilled that love in family members. Traveling, golfing, and playing games were favorite pastimes. She delighted in her garden, especially her roses and raspberries.

Alice was an eternal optimist with a zest for living. She could often be heard humming a favorite tune, and she loved to laugh. She was genuinely kind and was always looking for some way to help people. Her outgoing, caring nature touched the lives of everyone she knew. She had many cherished friends with whom she enjoyed spending time.

Alice was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout her life, she served where she was needed in her ward. She held many callings in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations. Some of the highlights were Young Women's president, Cub Scout Den Leader, and in her 80’s a Primary Activity Days Leader. She helped each of her sons earn many scouting awards, including Eagle Scout. Missionary work was important to her. Not only did she support all five sons on a mission, along with her husband she served two missions, one on Temple Square and the other in the Washington DC Temple. She was a powerful example of a righteous woman who had a strong testimony of Heavenly Father, the Savior, the prophet, and the gospel. She believed in the power of prayer and taught her family to always call upon God who hears and answers prayers.

Alice is survived by her husband Frank; five sons Dennis (Diane), Kim (Tami), James (Nancy), Gary (Mary) and David (Debbie); 22 grandchildren; and 50 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Howard Arthur Hanks (Dora), Earl Wayne Hanks (Mabel), and Charles Russell Hanks; and three sisters, Ina Hanks, Elba Adelina Hanks Brown (J. Keith), and Ruth Hanks Allen (Austin Douglas).

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 25 at 11 am in the Wilford Stake Center, 1765 E 3080 S, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends and family may call on Wednesday, May 24, from 6-8 pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S 2300 East, Salt Lake City, and at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Gardens, 3401 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City.