Carol Lynne Voris

Our Momma, Carol Lynne Voris (Rusch), passed away unexpectedly May 23, 2022 at the age of 67.

Momma was born February 24, 1955 in Alliance, Nebraska to Robert and Shirley Rusch. She was the second of five children, the first of three deaf sisters. Her family would eventually move to Sunnyvale, California where she and her sisters would attend an oral program in a self-contained classroom. She graduated from Homestead High School and attended Ohlone Community College for a brief period of time.

In 1974, Momma and her sisters would start attending the Deaf Youth Workshop at BYU, in Provo, Utah, where she would be able to associate with other signing, Deaf youth. It was there that she met our dad, Rodney Voris, and fell in love. They would eventually marry in June of 1979 in the Oakland, California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the 19 years of their marriage, they would bring 4 children into the world and move around the country looking for the best place to call home. Their marriage ended and they went their separate ways in 1997.

Momma loved nature and flowers, especially Iirises. Her favorite colors were purple and red. She enjoyed making crafts, mainly holiday themed. Baking at Christmas time was a must. She loved putting together plates of goodies for neighbors and friends. Momma loved chocolate covered hazelnuts and would try to buy two tins of them from Swiss Colony at Christmas time. Her favorite chocolate candy was Almond Roca.

Momma typically kept her life private and only shared bits and pieces when she wanted to. She battled mental illness and struggled to express her inner thoughts and feelings. Most didn’t know that she badly wanted to hear and to sing. Now that she has passed, we know she can now hear and is singing her heart out.

She was greeted on the other side by her son, Garlan Lee Voris, her sister, Terry Tomkinson, her parents Robert and Shirley Rusch, and many others that had gone before.

Momma left behind 3 children, Shari (Ryan) Brown, Tyler (Lacey) Voris, and Lisa (Nathan) Hamblin, and 9 grandchildren, Asheton (Kylie), Kolby, Alexis, Ryan, Kayden, Cameron, Taryn, Linkin, and Evelyn.

She is survived by her siblings, Lonnie (Joyce) Rusch, Leslie (Reid) Simonsen, and Garlan Rusch, and several nieces and nephews.