Karla Ann Thornton

After being very patient, patient, patient, Karla Ann Thornton passed away less than a week before celebrating her 82nd birthday.

Born in Salt Lake City on February 5, 1944. She graduated from Bountiful High School in 1962, then went on to graduate from the Logan Institute of Religion and earn her degree from Utah State University in 1968. She later completed her master’s degree in 1978. She was so proud to be an Aggie.

Karla began teaching first grade at Washington Elementary in 1969. In 1977 she taught at West Bountiful Elementary and in 1978, West Bountiful School. She devoted 35 years to teaching elementary school in Bountiful before retiring in 2004 and relocating to St. George to be closer to her dear friend, Carolyn Thornton, who later became her sister-in-law. But her true calling was clearly collecting hourglasses and gnomes.

She enjoyed singing as an alto, and belonged to a few choirs including the highly prestigious Jay Welch Chorale in 1978 which was recognized as a mini-Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints and served faithfully in various callings over the years including 9 years as a Spiritual Living Teacher in the Relief Society.

She was well traveled and just to name a few, she visited New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, and all over the United States. Once on a trip to see the Statue of Liberty in New York, they took a wrong turn and ended up in Harlem. Karla was terrified.

She believed strongly in her conservative views, and never believed in throwing things away once expired. She loved Hallmark movies, Little America, Keanu Reeves, shopping, Mark Blucas, Facebook, decorating her home, getting her nails done, and all things purple.

She is survived by many “sweet” nieces and nephews who will forever miss her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carlos Thornton and Jewell Stewart Allen, along with her brothers, Dean, Virden, and Gaylen Thornton, who she cared for deeply. There is peace in knowing she is now in the arms of her Savior. Her family finds joy in imagining her reunion with her family and especially her mother, who has waited so many years, and with the handsome stripling warrior who has patiently waited even longer for her.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Karla’s life on February 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery (Lot 349) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Come ready with a memory or story to share.