Obituary of Carolyn Garretson (nee' Bradley)

Carolyn Garretson (née Bradley), of Eagle, Idaho, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Friday, May 6, 2022. She was 88.

Born on July 17, 1933, in Cushing, Oklahoma, Carolyn was the second eldest of eight children of James Bradley and Lucy Briscoe. She graduated in 1951 from Roswell High School in New Mexico, where she was a spirited majorette and would catch the eye of her future beloved husband, John. She wed John in 1954 and would support him through two degrees and many moves, eventually settling in California to raise three beautiful daughters, while later working as a switchboard operator for Sears, and finally moving with her family to Middleton and Eagle, Idaho in her golden years.

Never one to sit still, Carolyn kept herself busy with many activities. She enjoyed square and round dancing with her husband, spent countless hours in her gardens tending stunning roses and other floral delights, stretched her brain with a variety of word puzzles, and faithfully penned letters to cherished friends. She could never be found far from soap and water or a broom, keeping an immaculate and lovely home, and often helping others do the same. Her favorite hobby, however, was her sewing. An accomplished seamstress, she kept her daughters ever fashionable in their youth, and her prolific and skilled quilt-making provided decades of blessings for everyone in her family as well as charity auctions. With passion for her family always at the forefront of her mind, Carolyn was also adamant about being philanthropic toward her grandchildren’s musical, academic, and charitable interests, and made sure she was always there to cheer on both her children and grandchildren through every venture.

Carolyn is survived by her siblings: Louis Bradley, Sharon Van Dorn, and Linda Bradley; her daughters: Cathy Garretson, Debra Kuhn, and Leslie Oien; her grandchildren: Tyler Garner, Johnathon Garretson, Haely Young, Troy Garner, Jenna Oien, Victoria Tschohl, Leanne Oien, and Sarah Tschohl; and her great-grandchildren: Brianna Garner, Austin Garner, Cooper Combe, Xavier Garretson, Byron Garretson, Wyatt Young, Ryder Garner, Elijah Garretson, and Lorelai Young. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Eddy Lee, Jimmy, Robert, and Kenneth Bradley, as well as her loving husband, John.

As a mother (and second mother to her siblings and grandchildren), Carolyn filled an irreplaceable role and leaves behind a grateful family. Her example of grace, elegance, cheer, silly humor, and fierce protection of and dedication to those she loved will forever be her legacy. The family looks forward to her hugs, giggles, and her notorious wagging finger in the future, and they know she will again sparkle alongside “[her] John” in Heaven as she sparkled via her treasured jewelry and bright smile here on Earth. They love her “to the moon and back”.

A private service and reception will be held at Summers Funeral Home followed by the burial at Dry Creek Cemetery on Wednesday, May 11th.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family encourages donations in memory of Carolyn to the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and Go Red for Women (by the American Heart Association).