Carmen Barbara West Ard, 78, of Rexburg, passed away on November 26, 2011, surrounded by her family after a long 29 year struggle with cancer. She was born October 25, 1933 in Lindon, Utah to Merna Davenport West DeSpain and Ross Charles West.

Her mother brought her and her brother back to Idaho when she was one and a half years old. They lived with her grandmother in Heman, Idaho until she was 9. Due to illness, the doctor recommended a warmer climate, so Carmen and her mother moved to Arizona for a year. They returned to Idaho after that for one year, and then moved to Utah while her mother finished college at BYU. Upon her mother completing school they returned to Idaho where Carmen started high school. She attended high school at South Fremont, Sugar-Salem and graduated from Rigby High School in 1953.

While living in Sugar City, she met her eternal sweetheart, Ted Lorraine Ard on a blind date New Year's Eve 1950. She was only 17. Ted left for the service 28 days later during the Korean War. They were married on September 29, 1954 in Rexburg. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 2, 1964.

Carmen and Ted made their home in Rexburg where Ted owned and operated the Phillips 66 service station and bulk plant for 40 years. They had two children, Kendra and Neal.

Carmen enjoyed being a homemaker. She was incredibly talented at many things. Her flower and vegetable gardens were beautiful and known and enjoyed by many people. She also enjoyed cooking and was very good at it. She was very artistic. She arranged beautiful flowers for her home and others. She was known as a great mother and grandmother to the neighborhood children. Carmen had a beautiful voice and sang all over the valley when she was younger. At one point she was offered a career in opera, but she turned it down as she preferred to stay with her sweetheart.

Carmen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as camp director, Sunday School secretary, Primary secretary and Visiting Teacher. She was an outstanding Primary teacher for many years. She truly enjoyed teaching the children.

She is survived by her sweetheart, Ted; children Kendra (Brian) Moncur, Neal (Denise) Ard; six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and one step great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence N. DeSpain and Merna D. DeSpain, and her brother Robert.

She was under the care of Rexburg Home Health and Hospice. A special "Thank You" to Laurie Jaramillo for her loving care and to Dr. Zollinger his care over the last 31 years.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rexburg 11th LDS Ward Chapel (590 Summerwood). The family will receive friends Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the Church. Burial will be in the Parker Cemetery.