Carla Sansom, age 93, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2018 at The Wellington Assisted Living Center in Holladay, Utah five days after celebrating her 93rd birthday with most of her posterity. "Omi," as her nine grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren affectionately call her, will be well remembered for her incomparable cooking, operatic singing voice, "tuschis" (kisses), quest for excellence, Almond Joys, and unique gifts. But her abiding legacy is reflected in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's 13th Article of Faith: she was passionately dedicated to serving God and her fellowman, and ardently committed to seeking after things that were "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy."
Born February 13, 1925 in Hamburg, Germany to Johannes and Paula Schnibbe, Carla was the youngest of three children and is preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Berthold (1976) and Karl-Heinz (2010). A lifelong member of the LDS Church, Carla fondly recounted many happy memories of association and worship with the Latter-day Saints of the Wartenau Branch. This church community bravely and faithfully survived WWII, and many of its members ended up emigrating and finding refuge in Salt Lake City after the war. Carla and her family were part of this migration in early 1953.
Although she endured much hardship during and after World War II in Germany, Carla was eager to adapt, learn, and thrive in her new country. A consummate survivor, proficient English speaker, and quick learner, she began working, making friends and continuing her education. In early 1961 she met Ken Sansom at the University of Utah Institute Ward and they married shortly thereafter. Inseparable companions until 2012 when Ken passed away, they raised three children, Matthias, Melanie and Melissa, and lived in Holladay, Utah; Pacific Palisades, CA; Westlake Village, CA; and again in Salt Lake City (since 1993).
Her pursuit of excellence and refinement were evidenced by her passion for learning, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and benevolence. Although primarily a homemaker, Carla took art and history classes at UCLA, volunteered as a docent at the LA County Museum of Art, wrote prolifically, and engaged in civic forums and events. In church she primarily served as a teacher and loved studying the gospel and preparing "cultural refinement" and "spiritual living" lessons. She relished time in nature and taking long walks. She was passionate about music, and would regularly attend the symphony, opera, or chamber concerts. She delighted in traveling the world and seeing the places she had studied. Notwithstanding this abundant life, Carla never forgot her own humble, trauma-filled years or her Deliverer. As a result, her prayers and praise were long and effusive, and her awareness of those who lacked moved her to generosity and compassion.
For over five years Carla has been a resident at The Wellington and our family gratefully acknowledges the nursing staff, caregivers, physicians, hospice nurses, and residents who made her time there (and ours) so pleasant. Carla is survived by her son Matthias (Janice) Sansom of Sandy, UT; Melanie (Steven) Smith of Idaho Falls, ID; and Melissa (David) Hibbert of Peoria, AZ.
The family will greet friends Friday evening, February 23rd from 6-8pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S), Sandy, UT. The funeral will be held Saturday, February 24th at 11am in the same location. Family will be available to visit an hour prior to services. Interment follows at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Church's Humanitarian Aid Fund 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.