Carma Joyce Bunderson Sirrine

Carma Joyce Bunderson Sirrine was born to Joseph Victor Bunderson and Avon Poulter in Price, Utah on March 2, 1934. She passed away in her home on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at the age of 87.

Carma grew up in the small town of Wellington, Utah. Her mother passed away when Carma was at the tender age of six. She had two younger sisters who were only one and three years of age who she helped to care for. Her father remarried Rachel Bentley when Carma was eleven, adding three older step sisters to the family. Carma attended two years at the College of Eastern Utah earning her associates degree in business before moving to Salt Lake City to find employment. There she met the newly returned missionary, Gordon, who attended church with her at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1957.

Carma and Gordon lived in Salt Lake for about 12-years and, needing more space, built a home in the wonderful community of Granite, Utah where they have enjoyed living for the past 50 years. They had a large family raising and teaching 7-boys and a girl. Carma became a full-time homemaker, dedicating many years of her life taking care of their children and managing all the aspects of running large family and home. After raising most of her children she took up work again working as a receptionist for Beneficial Life Insurance Company until she retired.

After retirement Carma and Gordon volunteered to serve on an 18-month full-time senior mission in the Philippines for their church. They helped the people learn to be self-sufficient through many projects such as teaching them how to raise and breed various farm animals as a business venture and making products to sell such as quilts, dolls, paintings, and carvings, which they could sell at a building near the temple. Carma and Gordon were fully qualified for their service in the Philippines, being very knowledgeable in taking care of animals and gardens, and very talented creatively.

Carma has been a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers society for many years. She would often participate in meetings and luncheons for the group and learn interesting stories and facts about the pioneers. Members of the local camp would take turns telling their stories and arranging for speakers and community service. Carma was also a very talented writer, blessing her family with personalized poems for birthdays and anniversaries, writing stories from her family history. Carma is a published author. She wrote a book titled, “10 Secrets for a Happy Marriage” she could be found at local bookstores promoting her book and signing copies for any who were interested.

Carma was the most compassionate, loving, caring and patient person we know. She was often found serving others in her church, neighborhood and community. Carma loved growing a large vegetable and fruit garden and raised chickens for fresh eggs for many years. She canned tomatoes, grapes, apples, peaches and more every year and gave much of it away to family and neighbors. She was an amazing cook – one favorite was fried chicken with mashed potatoes and noodle gravy mix. She enjoyed root beer floats, homemade ice cream and hotdog roasts over an open fire. In recent years Carma was always ready for a game of scrabble or Banana Grams or working on a good 1000-piece puzzle. Carma and Gordon volunteered during elections for many years helping at the voting center near their home.

Carma will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, as well as a caring friend to all she met. Most of all she loved her husband and family and the Lord. She was a devout member of her church and had a strong testimony and enduring faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Carma served in the Relief Society and Primary organizations for many years. Most recently she taught a Primary class of young children which she truly enjoyed. She faithfully served in the temple. She will be deeply missed by her family, neighbors, and many friends.

Carma was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, a son Nathan, her parents and her five siblings. She is survived by her children: Steven Sirrine (Karen), Robert Sirrine (Linda), David Sirrine (Susan), Jolyn Slattery (Walt), John Sirrine (Jeanay), Neil, and Mark, as well as 24 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

A viewing for Carma will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm. Both events will be held at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, located at 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah.

The gravesite dedication and interment will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery at the same location.

Recording of the funeral service can be found at www.larkinmortuary.com