Karla Rae (Hollifield) Tarbet

Jul. 6, 1956 - Feb. 18, 2026

Date of Service: Feb. 28, 2026

RUPERT – Karla Rae (Hollifield) Tarbet, age 69, of Rupert, passed away, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Karla was born on July 6, 1956, in Jerome, Idaho, to Gordon and Jean (Kistler) Hollifield. She grew up on the family farm, where she spent her days driving tractor and picking rock. Karla developed a lifelong love of sports and earned varsity letters in track and volleyball. After graduating from Jerome High School in 1974, she went on to attend Boise State University.

Karla married Wendell Dee Tarbet in the Logan Utah Temple on October 17, 1975. Karla and Dee were best friends and shared 24 wonderful years of marriage before Dee’s passing. Together they raised four children: Steven, Kyle, Kent, and Stacy. Karla was a devoted and loving mother who poured her heart into her family.

Karla dedicated many years of service to the Minidoka County School District. She began as a substitute teacher, later becoming an aide at Minico High School. With a deep passion for education, Karla worked diligently to put herself through college and earn her teaching degree. She concluded her career teaching science at West Minico Middle School. Karla truly loved her students—she challenged them, believed in them, and took great pride in their successes.

Family was at the center of Karla’s life, and she was especially proud of her grandchildren. She rarely missed a dance, piano recital, sporting event, or orchestra concert. Each summer, she hosted “Grandma Camp,” where she shared her love of crafts and science. Karla also enjoyed sports, especially watching the Olympics and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys.

Karla was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved the gospel and faithfully served in many callings, with her favorites being youth Sunday School teacher and Primary music leader. Though she often joked that she wasn’t much of a singer, she found joy in teaching children the gospel through song. Karla also had a deep love for family history and temple work and spent countless hours finding names to take to the temple.

Karla is survived by her four children, Steven (Autumn) Tarbet, Kyle (Kale) Tarbet, Kent (Kenzey) Tarbet, and Stacy (Kolton) Woodbury; 13 grandchildren, Lizzy, Leslie, Justin, Tyler, Lindsey, Macy, Dallin, Paeton, Quinn, Luke, Riley, Tawny, and Trace; one brother, Jim (Nancy) Hollifield; and one sister, KayLynne (Jeff) Rolig. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dee; and her parents, Gordon and Jean Hollifield.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for their compassionate care during Karla’s final days.

The funeral will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Rupert 3rd Ward, located at 526 F. Street, in Rupert, with Bishop Braden Lake officiating. Burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 5 until 7p.m. Friday, February, 27, 2026, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 East 16th Street, in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45a.m. Saturday, prior to the service at the church.