Karma Smith Grismore

Karma Smith Grismore passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, surrounded by love in the home of her son Mark in Midvale, Utah. She was lovingly cared for by her children. 

Karma was born on September 7, 1935, to Jennings Brian Smith and Ethel Mills Smith. She spent her early years in Holbrook, Idaho; Big Hole, Montana; and Malad, Idaho.

She is survived by her children: Alison (Wayne) Perkins, John Brian Grismore, Suzanne Grismore, Mark Frantzen Grismore, and Kristin Flinders. Her siblings Rex (Sandy) Smith, James (Jean) Smith, and Yvonne (Jerry, deceased) Henderson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Frantzen Grismore; her sister, Lawana Herrmann; and her grandson, Jonathan Scott Perkins.

She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Karma attended Weber State College’s School of Nursing and was among the first graduating class of its newly established two-year associate degree nursing program. Early in her nursing career, she worked as a surgical nurse in the operating room during the development of the early cardiopulmonary bypass machine. Her example inspired her daughter Kristin to follow her into the nursing profession.

Karma met John Frantzen Grismore at church on a beautiful spring Sunday. They were married April 1, 1955, and were sealed by her cousin Stephen L. Richards. Together they designed and minted the 1971 Silver Liberty Medallion and instilled in their family a deep love for patriotism and constitutional principles, inspired by the teachings of Prophet Ezra Taft Benson.

A lifelong learner, Karma was rarely without a library card and a tall stack of books by her bed. She read to her grandchildren at every opportunity. She recited poetry she had learned from her mother to teach her children & grandchildren timeless moral values. 

She was proud of her family history. When meeting someone new, Karma would try to determine how they might be related to her. Karma was known for her beautiful handwriting. She had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement; and a great love for her family.

A special thanks to her Intermountain Hospice caregivers and her many caregivers at Heber assisted living.

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