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Connie Gene Carver was born to parents Parker Pratt Carver and Eugenia Erickson in Salt Lake City, November 18th, 1924. The second oldest of five children, Connie was one of only two to survive into adulthood, along with her younger brother Dale.

Connie grew up in Boise, Idaho, and rode her bike everywhere she went, frequently with Dale sitting on the back to tag along. She inherited an artistic eye from her mother, and mastered all kinds of painting before graduating from Boise High School at age 17. She attended Boise Junior College and became passionate about microbiology, working in a laboratory while she studied there. In 1943, she married Dwayne Swensen, after he proposed to her in her father’s funeral home, which she thought was quite unique. He served in the Air Force until the end of the war. He and Connie had five children—Sidney, Dahrl, Steve, Vicki, and Diane—and they lived in Moscow, Idaho, for 13 years.  The family enjoyed camping and fishing together, roaming all over the Northern United States and Canada.

After her divorce, Connie moved with her children to Provo, Utah, and was employed by Brigham Young University as the first female microscopist. She set up their freeze fracturing lab to prepare specimens. While working at BYU, Connie took every art class they offered, and helped to not only to write, but also to illustrate the textbooks they published. She worked with the scanning electron microscope and taught PhD students for 21 years. Upon her retirement, she was granted an honorary Master’s Degree from the university.

One of the last fine china painters, Connie won many awards and passed the art form down to her daughters. But even more than her painting, it was her faith that was legendary. The only part of her that was more vibrant than her energetic and happy personality was her testimony. She raised her children with Jesus Christ at her side. If anyone was ever stressed or worried, she showed them by example to turn that care over to the Lord. It was one of Connie’s greatest joys to serve in the Provo temple, where she was an ordinance worker for 16 years.

Connie is survived by five children: Sidney (Edward) Bass, Columbia SC; Dahrl ( Alan) Thomson, Provo, UT; Steven D. Swensen (Leah), Sheridan WY; Vicki (Mark) Allen, Midway, UT; and Diane Keener, Midvale, UT; a brother, Dale (Elsa) Carver, Provo, UT; 15 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the East Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Provo, Utah.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a mask and social distancing are highly recommended. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.