Carol LaRae Hemming

Carol LaRae Hemming, 87, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 15, 2025, of causes incident to age. She was surrounded by all four of her children, and had been under the care of Brio Home Health and Hospice.

Carol was born October 23, 1937, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Her early childhood was marked by severe neglect and physical abuse. Through much persistence and effort, her 14-year-old sister, Dona, facilitated Carol’s adoption to Parley Andrew Arave and Lila Anderson when Carol was 10 years old. Carol attended schools in Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, graduating from Blackfoot High School. She also attended Ricks College.

On June 21, 1957, she married Robert Thomas Hemming in the Idaho Falls Temple. Carol and Bob made their home in many locations and states, most recently Idaho Falls, Idaho. Carol held various teacher’s aide positions and, before retirement, worked for Shopko.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Carol had many callings in the church throughout her life, including serving in the presidencies of the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women. She loved her family fiercely but was also known to wield a mean wooden spoon! Carol was a kind, compassionate soul who grew more sassy in her last few years. She was always an advocate for the marginalized.

After retirement, Carol and Bob traveled extensively and loved their winters in Arizona. During the last few years, summers were spent working in her flowers and winters were spent wrapped up in a blanket with a good book or a crossword puzzle. In addition to time with family, Carol was watched over with great kindness by several of her cousins.

Carol is survived by her son, Rob Hemming of Idaho Falls, ID, daughter, Cara (Greg) Black of Iona, ID, daughter Paula (Blake) Van Kampen of Ammon, ID, daughter, Joanna (Bart) Prestwich of Shelley, ID; brother-in-law, Garth Hemming of Logan, UT, sister-in-law, Jerry Sucher of Pleasant Grove, UT; grandchildren, Allie Jones, Logan Van Kampen, Payton Alvey, Olivia Lovejoy, Christian Colegrove, and Austin Prestwich; and great-grandchildren Ava, Emersyn, Knox, Riggins, Addison, Wyatt, Charlotte, Kennedy, Cash, Hinklie, Laynie, Max, and Arlo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hemming; parents, Parley and Lila Arave; birth sisters, Dona Brazelton, and Nelda Swearingen; and birth brothers, Gomer Clements and Glenn Clements.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Fielding Memorial Park. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge prior to services.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.