Emma Carmae Sorensen Whitaker, 93, passed away in the home where she was born in Fallon, Nevada on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Carmae was born September 24, 1931, to Emily Olsen and Ephraim Aaron Sorensen as the youngest of seven children. She loved growing up on the family farm in the Lone Tree District and considered herself a tomboy.
Carmae attended the Lone Tree School through eighth grade and graduated from Churchill County High School in 1949. While she was in high school, she actively participated in Alpha Lambda Honor Society, sang in a trio, and served as a state officer in Future Homemakers of America (FHA).
After high school, Carmae attended Utah State Agricultural College where she studied home economics and served as president of Sigma Kappa. She also sang in the Chansonnettes Choir. Upon graduation in 1953, she returned to her beloved home in Fallon where she taught fourth grade for two years at West End Elementary and Oats Park Elementary.
Carmae met Kent Whitaker in Fallon in 1949. They were married while he was on leave from the Army in the St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 23, 1953. Kent and Carmae were married for almost 63 years before he passed.
Carmae was an exceptionally hard worker who drove tractors and dump trucks in the hay fields in the morning, fixed lunch for the hay crews, and then returned to the hay fields. She was also a gifted seamstress and cook; her children and grandchildren all benefited from her handmade items and delicious meals and treats.
Her faith in Jesus Christ guided her life. No matter the challenge she faced, Christ was her strength. She served diligently in her church by leading and teaching adults, youth, and children, and by serving in the Reno Nevada Temple for 13 years.
Carmae’s family was her joy. She and Kent raised a family of six children on the original Sorensen farm where Carmae grew up. She is survived by all of them: Maryan (Craig) Kellersberger, Jeff (Diane), Greg (Linda), Lori (Lyle) Johnson, Lisa (Mark) McKell, and Brad (Kathryn). She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kent, her parents, and her six siblings.
A viewing will be held Thursday, February 27, 6-8 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home. There will also be a brief viewing on Friday, February 28, 9-9:30 AM prior to the funeral services, which will be held at 10 AM at the church, 125 W Tolas Pl, Fallon. Burial will follow at the Churchill County Cemetery.
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