Anita Carden

ANITA Van Natter CARDEN, passed away February 27, 2014 at her home. She was 77. She joined her family and friends in Paradise to await her final resurrection into Celestial glory. Anita was born October 23, 1936 in Whitman’s Creek, West VA, daughter of Anna Mae (Carter) and Percy Chester VanNatter, a coal miner in the Logan WV mines He later became a Federal Mine Inspector, and was transferred to Hiawatha, Utah, where Anita began her school career. The family later moved to Wheatridge, Colorado where she was very active in the High School, an English major and quite active in drama and speech. She was also active in the Camp Fire Girls, attaining the highest degrees. Anita attended Brigham Young University and graduated as an English major in just three years. There she met her first husband and father of her five daughters. They moved to Canoga Park, CA where the marriage ended shortly after the youngest daughter was born. Determined to raise her daughters properly and within the church, she attended classes at CSUN, California State University, Northridge, and obtained her teaching credential. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in educational administration. She met her present husband at an LDS singles event, fell deeply in love, and they were married and sealed together for all time and eternity in the Los Angeles LDS Temple in May,1973. Anita continued to teach secondary schools in the district, but also serving for several years as a teacher advisor and counselor. She was diagnosed with a form of Multiple Sclerosis, a progressive disability that forced her to retire after 25 years of teaching. They moved to Durango, Colorado, where they resided until the present time. Anita was very active in the L.D.S. church, serving in many areas, and taught Seminary seven years, and Adult classes for years, along with serving on various boards and service units. In October, 2013, just prior to her 77th birthday, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at a late stage. As the disease spread she became bedridden in February and on 27 February she gracefully slipped through the veil between heaven and earth to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and await the arrival of her eternal mate, Thom.
Anita Carden was a special spirit and a gift to all who knew her. She was dearly loved by all ten of her children. Loved by many friends and family and was all of life to her husband. Funeral/memorial services will be held at the LDS Church, 2 Hilltop Circle, Durango, on MARCH 15TH AT 11:30 A.M. She was preceded in death by her father, Percy C. VanNatter, her mother, Anna Mae Carter, and by her only sibling, James S. Van Natter. She is survived by her husband, Dr.Thom Carden, her daughters from her first marriage, Marlene Yeates Daly of Centennial CO, Cynthia Yeates Woodbury of Mesa AZ, Lorrie Yeates Clark of Denver, Linda K. Yeates Connor of Pittsburg, PA, Alayne Yeates Outlaw of Highland Ranch, Co, and Thom H. Carden of Carlton OR, Kevin L. Carden of Prescott Valley AZ, Shawn D. Carden of Scottsdale AZ, Dennis P. Carden of Cathedral City CA, and Suzanne M. Burg of Lakewood CO, all 10 considered her children, plus 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.