Carmella Myers

Carmella "Carmie" Janette Myers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Queen, and retired art teacher died at the age of 81 on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Mesilla Valley Hospice, in Las Cruces, NM.



Carmella was born June 28, 1939 in Virginia, Minnesota, to Eino and Signe Jylha. Even as a child, Carmella was a gifted artist, drawing life-like portraits of her family and friends while other children were learning how to read and write.



Carmella graduated from Martin Hughes High School in Buhl, MN, went on to Virginia Junior College for two years, and then graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She became a teacher and educated students in art and English in the Minnesota school district for over 30 years. Along with her role as a teacher, Carmella was deeply entrenched in school activities: chaperoning dances, advising the student council, photography club, cheerleading squad, and countless others.



Carmella married Everett "Ev" Myers on July 25, 1981 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. They quickly became soulmates and life partners, a bond that could never be replaced.



Upon retirement, Carmella and Ev moved to Las Cruces where they whole-heartedly embraced retirement, immediately purchasing a large RV to travel around the country visiting family and friends. Carmella was equally passionate about community involvement and hobbies. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, American Association of University Women, Doa Ana Republican Women, and Red Hat Society. She generously gifted her creativity to those she loved and befriended through her original works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and custom made clothing, costumes, and millinery. Indeed, Carmella could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.



Carmella leaves to cherish: her children, Kristofer Knutson, Heidi Knutson-Reese (William), Tim Myers (Amy), Jeff Myers, and Jeri Myers; her sibling, Charlotte Gilbert; her grandchildren, Jillian, Brigit, Matthew, Samantha, Mitchell, and Nathan, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, family and friends.



Carmella was preceded in death by her parents, Signe and Eino Jylha; her siblings, Charles and Clayton Jylha, and her first husband Richard Knutson.



The Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 10:30 am on July 31, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2900 Elks Dr., Las Cruces, NM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Mesilla Valley Hospice in memory of Carmella.