Carolee Empey, 66, of Soda Springs, Idaho passed away at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 after a brief, courageous battle with breast cancer. Carolee was born in Montpelier, Idaho on June 4, 1955 to Daniel and Susie Hirschi. She grew up in Thatcher, Idaho and enjoyed her time growing up there as she spent summers swimming in the canal, babysitting for the neighbors, and riding her bicycle through the countryside.

Carolee attended school in Thatcher and Grace and graduated from Grace High School. She was a lifelong learner and obtained a certification in dental assisting and worked as a certified nursing assistant before she got married. As her kids grew up and left home, she worked as a paraprofessional at Tigert Middle School in the Special Education program. She loved working with the kids there and often spoke about their sweet, tender personalities.

Carolee took a chance on a blind date on June 14, 1985, and it went very well. She married Roger Empey that year on October 26 in Thatcher, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Logan, Utah temple on November 1, 1986. They had three children: Melissa Lee, Kimberly Shantel, and Shawn Roger. She and Roger worked hard to consistently choose one another, serve one another, and have fun together throughout their married life.

Carolee was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served as a full-time missionary in the California Sacramento mission. As she made her home in Soda Springs, she served for many years in various callings and especially loved serving in the Primary. She also served with the Young Women and as the Compassionate Service Coordinator in the Relief Society. Carolee was a wonderful friend and was often found serving others with no expectation for any kind of praise in return. She gave the best hugs and always knew when one was needed.

If there was one thing that Carolee truly loved, it was her family. She loved being a wife, mom, and grandma. She was also very involved in the community and volunteered in the schools while her kids were growing up, worked at the IdanHa Theater for many years, and served as the Caribou County Fair Baking Division Chair for 25 years. Carolee loved to laugh; her sense of humor was contagious, and she was always making people laugh. She had an adventurous spirit and could outride most people on any rollercoaster. She had a gift for letting her sorrows in life make her even more compassionate and kind than she already was before.

Carolee is survived by her children: Kimberly, of Boise, ID, and Shawn (Megan), of Franklin, ID, and her two grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger, her daughter, Melissa, her parents, two sisters, a brother, and two nephews.

The family will visit with friends on Sunday, June 27 from 6-8pm at Sims Funeral Home, and from 10:30-11:30am on Monday, June 28 at the Bailey Creek LDS Church. Services will be held on Monday, June 28 at Noon at the Bailey Creek LDS Church.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the friends and community members who have provided so much support and love through this difficult time.

Condolences and memories of Carolee can be shared online with the family by visiting www.simsfh.com.

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