Karl L Mendenhall peacefully passed away at home on January 4, 2024, surrounded by family.

He was born to William Lovell and Marjorie Stevens Mendenhall on May 30, 1938, in Cedar City, Utah. His family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he and his siblings attended school. Karl graduated from Las Vegas High School with the class of 1956. Karl joined the Navy Reserves his junior year in high school and after graduation served active duty in the Navy for five years.

Karl married Sandra Lytle on July 6, 1961, in Las Vegas, Nevada; and on July 7, 1962, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George Utah temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were blessed with nine wonderful children. The family lived in Las Vegas, Nevada; and in California before moving to Utah.

He worked hard to provide for his family. Karl earned a Federal Electric Corporation certificate for sonar training. He began his career as a hot typesetter and would go on to work as an electronics technician and later as an Information Technology (IT) manager and over the years was employed by the Las Vegas Review Journal, San Dieguito News, Saddleback News, and Freedom Newspapers.

Karl tinkered and enjoyed fixing things, DIY projects, and working on cars. He appreciated a good book and liked to garden. He also spent time volunteering for church and school newspapers.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithfully served in many callings over the years that included high priests group leader, primary teacher, elders quorum president, stake clerk, high councilor, and as a temple worker.

Karl is survived by his beloved wife Sandra, his children and their respective spouses, K. Jeffery Mendenhall of Lindon, Utah, John Mendenhall of Lehi, Utah, Sherri Carlile of Lake Forest, California, Tim Mendenhall of Payson, Utah, Tabitha Valencic of Kansas City Missouri, Steven Mendenhall of Hubei, China, Jason Mendenhall of Austin, Texas, Jeremy Mendenhall of Manti, Utah, and Jared Mendenhall of Provo, Utah, 42 grandchildren and 8 great-grandsons, brother Roger Mendenhall of Las Vegas, Nevada, and sister NaDean Mendenhall of Las Vegas, Nevada.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Marjorie Stevens Mendenhall, brothers Gary and Steven Mendenhall, sister Saundra Harris, and grandson Joseph Valencic.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST on Friday, January 12, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at 952 West 1580 South in Payson, Utah.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. PST at Pioneer Hill Cemetery, in Overton, Nevada. The graveside service will be casual dress, due to distance of travel and the desert location.

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Condolences(4)

Emma Larsen says
January 6, 2024 at 3:08 am

Grandpa, you were one of the strongest men I knew. You were stern but gentle, kind, and protective the first to forgive all of my mistakes. I had the honor to be your granddaughter. I could only hope to be half of the whole that you both were. You held nothing back, and gave everything. You knew the little things were what mattered. I am honored to have been called your princess. Thank you. Thank you for being my grandpa. I feel so lucky to have the grandfathers I did. How do I say goodbye?

Till we meet again.
Cindy Rees says
January 6, 2024 at 6:25 am

Dad,
I am the bonus daughter that you got for a year in the late 80’s. Thanks for being my protector and for saving my finger! That sliver didn’t have a chance. You welcomed me into your family and for that I am eternally grateful. Love you—Cindy “Hawk” Rees
- REPLY
  Katrina Sylvester Mills says
  January 8, 2024 at 3:05 am
  
  To all the family, He was such a great person ❤️ he will be missed but know that he is in a much better place. I love you all!
SHERRI CARLILE says
January 18, 2024 at 5:38 am

Dear Dad, Some people don’t believe in Heroes, but I tell them that is because they had never met my Dad! You were the best Dad that I could ever ask for! You were always working. You had at least three jobs to support our family. You were always doing projects because you could do anything! You could fix cars, slab leaks, add on a family room, hang wall paper, change tires, give our cars a jump start when the battery died, and even put in a skylight in the dining room. I can still smell the sawdust coming from the garage and hear the radio playing as you whistled along as you worked. I remember you let me have a dog, and I named her Toto. I remember you read me a book about Baptism before you baptized me. I remember we would go on trips in the motor home and we listened to the “Oldies but Goodies,” and LOVED them! You were good at taking slivers out! I remember I sat on an old picnic bench while wearing a dress and received LOTS of slivers and you dug them all out! (one by one). I remember bringing my young adult friend home from church to help her get her sliver out <3 and you did! I love how you smelled of "Original Chapstick" with the black and white tube as you kissed me good night – every night. I love you Dad! I Miss you already! Thanks for letting me be your princess! God be with you, Until we meet again!