Lee Astle Carling

Lee Astle Carling, 89, of Idaho Falls, Idaho (formerly of Plain City, Utah), passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at Lily and Syringa Assisted Living in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Lee was born in Providence, Utah, in the family home, on March 27, 1936. He was the seventh of ten children born to George Isaac Carling and Clara Pearl Astle. Growing up on the family farm in Providence instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work and self-reliance.

Lee graduated from South Cache High School in 1954. In 1956, he accepted a call to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission that included Colorado, New Mexico and parts of Wyoming and Nebraska. This experience deepened his commitment to serving others—a value he carried throughout his life.

Following his mission, Lee began his career with Mountain Bell (later US West), starting with the foundational work of digging holes for telephone poles before advancing to climbing poles and installing cable. He retired at age 60 after 37 dedicated years of service. In 1962, Lee married Roberta Walsh. Roberta brought her son, Robert Covey, from an earlier marriage, and together they were blessed with two daughters, Nancy and Connie. After Nancy’s birth in 1963, the family settled in a home in Plain City with a yard ideally suited to Lee’s passion for gardening. He spent many joyful hours growing vegetables, providing for his household, and generously sharing with neighbors and friends. Lee and Roberta later divorced.

Lee met the love of his life Kathryn “Kathy”Elison Horne at a church single adult activity. They were married on June 19, 1999, and shared many happy years together. Kathy’s children and their spouses, James (Lynne), Joel (Shauna), Ben (Kathy), Linda (Jim), Roger (Tiffani), Periann (Dave) and Laura Tidwell accepted and loved Lee from day one. In 2020, Lee and Kathy moved to Idaho Falls near Kathy’s daughter Periann Matagi who selflessly gave of her time to love and care for Lee until his passing. Kathy preceded Lee in death on March 23, 2024.

Lee will be remembered for his strong work ethic, kind heart, love of gardening, and lifelong desire to help and serve those around him. He served faithfully in his church callings and was always willing to provide help to those in need. He was a devoted family man and together with Kathy, treasured family gatherings, and loved attending and cheering on his grandchildren in their many activities. Lee and Kathy shared 22 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his daughters Nancy (Steve) Shaw, Connie (Loren) Hurd, sister Eva Johnston and sister-in-law Nola Carling. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathy, his parents, brothers Dean, Ivan, Darold, Ray, Blaine, Grant, sisters Lola Savage, Linda Johnson, and wonderful in-laws.

Our family would like to give special thanks to the love and care provided to our father by the staff at both Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living and Lily and Syringa Assisted Living in Idaho Falls, ID.

Funeral Services will be held Friday February 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. St. Kaysville, Utah. Friends may visit with family prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.