Kent Carlisle Crandall

Kent Carlisle Crandall, of Sioux City, passed away peacefully at Care Initiatives Nursing Home in Panora, Iowa, on December 2, 2025. A funeral in his honor will be held on December 8, 2025, with visitation at 1:00 and services at 3:00, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1201 W Clifton Avenue in Sioux City. He will be buried in Springville, Utah, where a graveside service will be held at a later time.

Kent, son of Kelsch (Kelly) Carlisle and Janet (Webster) Crandall was born in Boulder City, NV January 15, 1934 where his father was workman on the Hoover Dam . They returned to Springville, UT shortly after Kent’s birth where the family added a sister and two brothers. Tragically Kelly died in a roofing accident when Kent was 14 and he went to work on his uncle’s farm to help his mother support the family. He graduated from Springville High School in 1952 and attended a year at Brigham Young University.

He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern Central States Mission, headquartered in Chicago, from 1953-55. Among other cities he served in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, where he met his future wife Pat.

He returned to BYU and married Patsy (Pat) Ann Mahoney of Council Bluffs, IA on November 21, 1956 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Three days later he joined the US Army stationed in Augusta, GA and played clarinet in the Army Band. They joined another couple and formed a quartet singing at funerals and weddings. After two years in the Army he, Pat, and their new daughter returned to Springville where he was employed by the BYU Photo Studio. Four more children were born in Utah.

The family moved to Sioux City, IA in 1966 where Kent worked at Genelli’s Photo Studio. He later established his own studio, Photography by Kent, and worked in various other situations to support his family; notably, Hinky Dinky grocery stores, Williams Appliance, delivering the Sioux City Journal, and Walmart Photo. Three more children were born in Sioux City.

Family was always a central focus in his life. The family worked together and played board and card games together. He traveled countless miles to attend his children and grandchildren’s milestone events, often bragging about their achievements.

His wife, Pat, passed away in 2003 after 47 years of marriage, and he married Alice Adel in 2006, adding her children and grandchildren to his extensive family. She was a great joy and companion to Kent, and all his children and grandchildren loved her. Alice passed away in 2023.

Kent’s faith was a cornerstone of his life, and he was a faithful, active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the church throughout his life in numerous capacities, and a variety of leadership positions including Ward Clerk, Bishop, member of the Stake High Council, and dedicated Home Teacher. For several years, he led the congregation in singing hymns and was the choir director. He cherished the time he spent serving in the Winter Quarters LDS Temple in Omaha, and he volunteered in the local Family History Library, dedicating much time researching his family genealogy, and he loved to tell stories of his Pioneer heritage.

Later in life, he returned to school, attending Western Iowa Tech Community College to receive a certificate for Piano Tuning and Repair. He developed strong ties in the community and was known and respected by others in all walks of life. He was an election judge and served many years with Pat as a board member of the Sioux City Children’s Choir, and they sang in the Sioux City Chorale. His photographs of weddings, celebrations, and family portraits hang on the walls of numerous homes in the Siouxland area.

Kent was notoriously good-natured, and if someone inquired after his health, he would respond with, “What’s better than great?” He had a famously strong work ethic, a curiously mathematical and mechanical mind, and was a great example of faith and commitment.

Those left to carry on his legacy are his children: Ann (Terry Homer, Richmond IN), Steven (Omaha NE), Sharon (David Hill, St. Mary, IA), Marcia (Des Moines IA), Reed (Kim, Sioux City, IA), Brian (Kandi, Sioux City, IA), and daughter-in-law, Melody (Monticello, IN). A sister, Evelyn (George Fannin, American Fork, UT), a brother, Cyril (Julie, Springville, UT), as well as 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Kent was preceded in death by his daughter, Colleen, in 1965; his brother, David, in 1981; his son, Kelly, in 2023; and a host of friends and family who awaited him in the reunion beyond this life.