Karyl Mackenzie Kastle Smart

Karyl Mackenzie Kastle-Smart (born Mary Kathleen Schlenker), otherwise known as "MOM" and "Grandma Kathy"

Dad finally ran down to pick mom up to show her around before her Heavenly Birthday Bash. She has missed him since he left almost 5 years ago, and was probably irritated that he took so long to get her. Nevertheless, Karyl, aged 74 (January 13, 1951-January 12, 2026), waited patiently and was finally flown home.

She spent a great deal of her life as the primary caregiver for our dad who was a quadriplegic since he was 19. They were married in 1967 and later divorced in 1975. Years later in 1983, she came to live with him again as caregiver. They remarried in 2000 and remained so until his passing in 2021.

She was a loving and caring mother to her children as well as her grandchildren, always taking us to our activities or taking a role in the things we were interested in doing at any given moment. She was a huge fan of Star Trek and Star Wars and watched all the movies and series repeatedly. She tried many things artistic, musical, martial arts, and even tried her hand at being a farrier for a time, going to Oklahoma for training. She was a devout Catholic and tried to live her life in God's Light. Her life was not always neat and tidy, but she lived on her own terms as much as possible. In the end, the dementia/alzheimers demon invaded and took most of who she was away from us far too soon.

She is survived by stepson Stanley Smart (Marcia), son Joseph Smart (Tiana), daughter Nichole Smart (Scott), son Isaac Smart, grandchildren Konnie (Zach), Ashley (Tyler), Anthony, Alisha (Dylan), Alex, Chrysta (Justin), Amber (Chad), Makenzee (John), and many great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents Orville Harold and Mary Jo Swing Schlenker, brothers Harold, Ronald, and Warren Schlenker, stepson Steven Smart, and husband Herbert Frank Smart, Jr.

On January 21, 2026 a viewing will be held at 10:00 am followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 Spring Lane, Holladay, Utah 84117. Graveside services/Interment directly following the Mass at Murray City Cemetary, 5490 S Vine St, Murray, Utah 84107.