Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Carol Joy Orme Holding, passed away on December 22 at the age of 95 in Salt Lake City. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy, defined by her generous spirit and her tireless work ethic.
Carol was born on February 18, 1929, and adopted by Cecilia and Joseph Arthur Orme who loved her dearly. She grew up in Idaho and Utah with her sister, Margy and her brother, Frank. As a young woman, she was devastated when Frank was killed in action during World War II, followed a few years later by the death of her father whom she adored. She graduated from East High School in 1946 and attended the University of Utah.
In 1949, Carol married her best friend and love of her life, Robert Earl Holding. They found true partnership in each other, with boundless energy to pursue the dreams they shared. Together, they began their first business planting and cultivating a 25-acre peach, pear, and apple orchard in Dimple Dell. Working side by side became their trademark–both in business and in life–and defined their 64 years of marriage.
In 1952, the Covey family offered Earl and Carol the opportunity to move to and manage Little America, Wyoming. Carol always said they were “just two young kids who didn’t know what we were doing,” but in the 13 years they lived there, she and Earl worked tirelessly to shape the remote travel center into a bustling and successful operation.
As their business grew, Carol and Earl maintained the same hands-on approach, traveling to each property to work with their employees. Customers at the hotels were often surprised to see Carol making beds in the guest rooms or bussing dishes at the restaurant. Leading by example was her and Earl’s way: no job was too small, no detail was overlooked. Long before computers or spreadsheets, Carol kept track of the numbers by calling each property each day and writing down their sales figures in her own hand-made charts.
Above all, Carol believed the people with whom she and Earl worked were the most important part of the business. She maintained this dedication and deep appreciation for the employees throughout her life. Just a few weeks before her passing, she spent Thanksgiving Day touring the hotels to thank each employee personally for working on a holiday, much like she had during every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day.
Making people feel acknowledged and appreciated was Carol’s true character and thinking of others was her daily practice. Before noon most mornings, she would have food delivered, a card sent, or a problem solved. She nurtured relationships with people from all walks of life because she loved all people and saw the good in them. Her charity had no bounds.
As a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Carol was immensely proud of her children, and a spirited cheerleader for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always encouraged their endeavors and stoked their passions, whether attending performances and sporting events, or framing and displaying transcripts and art projects. She surrounded herself with a rotating collection of photos of those she loved so dearly. Carol had a special knack for poems, pranks, and riddles, which she was known to craft and share with family and friends. She had an amazing sense of humor and a talent for telling stories with particular finesse and flair. She would often jovially say, whether in conversation or while speaking to an audience, “I always get the last word!”
Carol was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony and developed her faith as a little girl. Even while working at the orchard with Earl as a teenager, she would bring a clean dress to change into and walk to church to teach Sunday School. She epitomized the value of compassion.
Though her fiercely strong spirit will be missed by all who knew her, she will live on in the memories of the people she served. She is survived by her three children, Anne, Kathleen, and Stephen, their spouses, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Frank, her sister, Margaret, and her beloved husband, Earl. The family would like to extend their immeasurable gratitude to the nurses and close friends who offered wonderful companionship and care to Carol in the years since Earl’s passing.
At Carol’s request, a party to celebrate dear friends and employees will be held Saturday evening, January 11, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Imperial Ballroom at the Grand America Hotel. A private family service will be held at her Wyoming ranch, where she will be buried next to Earl. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Intermountain Foundation at Primary Children's Hospital or to University of Utah Health. Her life may always be celebrated by thinking of others and working hard.
Guestbook/Condolences
Dear members of Carol Holding's family, please receive our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your most beloved mother,grandmother and great grandmother. Both Steve and I feel blessed and honored to have been close friends of Carol and we will cherish the memory of all the wonderful moments we spent with her. We will miss her dearly.
Mrs. holding was an example to all her knew her.
As an employer, she embodied fairness and appreciation. She was always someone to emulate. She had a great sense of humor, and she loved any pranks or silliness. She was a demanding boss, but always had time for some laughs. She had all of my admiration. I’m so happy to have known her and worked under her leadership.
Our deepest condolences 🙏
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a remarkable and amazing woman.
My condolences to the entire family. I know Carol will be missed.
To Anne, Kathleen, and Stephen and love ones
I loved your mom; she was always so kind and Ceasar also admired her,
and cherished her very much. She always had a smile and uplifting words to
brighten our time with her She will ways be in my memories and heart. Martha
Dear Anne, Kathleen and Stephen. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. I loved Carol, she was always so good to us all. I watched you kids grow up and become such wonderful people. My love and prayers are with you. I do not drive at night or I would be there for the memorial service. God Bless and Rest in Peace Carol.
Carol was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met I am truly blessed to have been able to be part of her life. Her wonderful spirit is now back Earl! God bless her.
To your entire family
Your mother grandmother great grandma was a icon a inspiration a devoted friend
I admired Her greatly and her kindness knew no bounds
She was always gracious elegant kind generous
She checked in on me and always encouraged me to come to Sun valley
She would say this is your home come to the lodge we love you
Wow
He’d spirit lives on this write up is beautful thank you for sharing it with all of us love maria
Fly high beautiful Lady.
Holding Family, sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this time of sadness and transition. My parents, Dick and Connie Ruhlman, worked for your Mom and Dad a number of years on the Wyoming ranch. Your Mom remained in contact with my folks years beyond their time on the ranch. My folks would describe your Mom as genuine, loving and full of grace. We are sorry to hear of her passing.
Carol has created a beautiful legacy of extraordinary family following in her footsteps. Deep condolences to you for your loss of this guiding light. May you be comforted by her spirit and her love.
I am saddened hearing of Carol’s death. She is my Mother’s (Gladys Orme Williams) niece. Her father was the oldest of Joseph Orme’s 138 children and my Mother the youngest. Thus, Carol and Gladys were close in age and grew up together. Mother always adored her and Carol reciprocated.
I always experienced her as a kind and thoughtful woman the few times we interacted. My favorite was when she hosted a family reunion in Sun Valley about 1980. She had every detail careful planned and expertly executed. Our huge family basically took over the resort, visiting and getting to know each other. It was a cherished gift to all of us from Carol. I especially enjoyed an early morning run she and I took together, talking all the way.
Her presence on this earth will be greatly missed. Her generosity, kindness and drive to make the world a better place will be hard shoes to fill.
My condolences to the family, which includes those fortunate enough to work for her. She will be welcomes in heaven by a loving husband, parents and sibling along with a dozen Aunts and Uncles who all adore her.
Anne, Kathleen, Stephen, & family, my sincerest condolences to you all. Carol leaves impossibly big shoes to fill.
I learned so much working with your mom and dad, and so thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Carol in recent years. Your mom was a lovely lady; kind, thoughtful, and disarmingly funny. I will miss her, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have known her and be a part of your gigantic extended family.
My best to you all....
Condolences and prayers for the blessing of comforting memories to the Holding family, and to all of Carol’s friends and admirers. We join in celebrating an accomplished and inspiring life, filled with goodness, and lived with purpose. Rest in peace.
Carole was truly an inspiration to us all. I believe she loved every one, even the most difficult people to love. I will always remember her kindness and love.
Thank you Carol, for giving us all a place to make memories with our families all ages. Thank you for a safe place to work that most could call home too. Thank you for being the heart and lending it to us to continue on your legacy. You were truly a remarkable woman and will be very missed. Thank you for being you!!!!!
To Anne, Kathleen and Stephen. I send my heartfelt condolences. Carol was a treasure. Her kindness, generosity and sense of humor will be remembered. I will treasure her typed notes, text messages and voice messages. She was a woman of wisdom and an astute business partner. It was a blessing to have known her. She and the love of her life are together again. God bless them both.
I met here for the first time at Snowbasin a few weeks before her passing… How sweet of her to come visit and thank the employees!
What a resilient woman. I am so proud to be part of this Snowbasin community and we will all make her proud everyday that we work there .
May she rest in peace.
Though I never knew Carol, I was amazed at her generous life and spirit of integrity as I read her obituary.
My parents came to Sun Valley for their honeymoon and my husband and I come each year for medical conferences. There is a special spirit here as I sit in front of the fire and gaze at the mountains and the beautiful painting of the cougar dashing through the snow.
I know Carol is being welcomed in the arms of her Savior. Thank you for the glimpse into her remarkable life.
I never met Mrs Holding but I often heard of her many wonderful qualities from my dear friend Ryta Sondergard. Reggie and I send our deepest sympathy to your family during this painful time.
Years ago, I met Earl and Carol. Earl was in need of a knee replacement and at that time I was the liaison for the U's orthopedic surgery department. I got to know Carol and Earl. She was proud of her 100 situps daily and the worldly travels to purchase tapestries, blown glass chandeliers, matchstick marbel walls for their newly opened Grand American Hotel. I truly believe she loved planting the flower gardens most. They graced me with a gift to their resort at Sun Valley, where my young children, at the time, learned to ski at Dollar Mountain. She was a wonderful person. Full of life. It was an honor to get to know her. God Bless Her!
During my 33 years with Little America, Cheyenne, WY, I had the utmost respect for Mrs. Holding. It was a pleasure knowing and working for Mr. & Mrs. Holding. My sincere condolences to Stephen, Anne, & Kathleen.
During my 33 years with Little America, Cheyenne, WY, I had the utmost respect for Mrs. Holding. It was a pleasure knowing and working for Mr. & Mrs. Holding. My sincere condolences to Stephen, Anne, & Kathleen.
Just found out I am so sorry. She was such a wonderful person. She will be remembered in the best of ways. Steven
I worked at one of her resorts. She attended a Christmas party for the employees. I was practically a kid, a low level laborer. She came over and was so kind and genuine towards me. I had no idea who she was until afterwards. It’s a moment that always had an impression on me. A truly kind lady.