Kathryn Ann Parker Stevens' Obituary
Kathryn Ann Parker Stevens passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by loving family, on July 8, 2023, after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Kathy was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, missionary, teacher, and friend.
Kathy was born on April 22, 1944, to Clayton Parker and Irene Gibbs Parker in Murray, Utah where she was the fifth of six children. She loved to dance and enjoyed many years developing that talent. Kathy graduated from Jordan High School in 1962 then went on to earn her teaching degree in Home Economics from the University of Utah. Kathy always said the U of U was good to her, but that she bled blue, and BYU had her heart.
Kathy married the love of her life and eternal companion, John Walter Stevens, on Valentines Day in 1964 where they were sealed for time and all eternity by Boyd K. Packer in the Salt Lake Temple. Kathy and John’s relationship was a real-life fairytale for he was her greatest treasure. They had an incredible love story, and were a match made in Heaven. Kathy was a stay-at-home mom to her six children until her youngest child went to preschool, and then taught school to earn extra money for the family.
Kathy was an extremely hard worker and was always finding ways to bring in extra income. She had an eye for interior design which greatly contributed to the success of Variety Shade and Decorating, a business she and John built together. Kathy found additional ways to bring in money such as a home daycare, sewing lessons, secretarial work, and teaching school. She could sew anything and made her children’s clothing, pajamas, bathrobes, costumes, and temple dresses. She also made her own wedding dress and won first place in the “Make it with Wool” contest.
Kathy had a kind heart and often searched for those in need of friendship. She simply loved connecting with others and had many friends throughout her life. Kathy was the life of the party. She was happy and enjoyed her life to the fullest. She loved to be active and involved in things. She and John made an adventure out of everything they did from doing chores to family trips. Her children have fond memories of two summers they spent as a family at Mack’s Inn, Idaho where they helped run the resort. On rare days off, they spent time exploring West Yellowstone, picking blueberries, and tubing down the Snake River.
Kathy was a dreamer. She and John would take the kids to the dream log to talk about their hopes for the future. Kathy proceeded to put those hopes and dreams into action. She wanted a boat to create family fun and enrich relationships and she made that happen but didn’t stop there. While cross country skiing with her best friend, she imagined that it would be nice to end their excursion at a cabin with a hot bowl of soup. Within a year, ground was broken, and this dream became a reality. The cabin provided many memories of sledding, hiking, exploring, game nights, treats, homemade waffles, hammock swinging, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, country music, laughing and bonding. Many fond memories were made as a family at the cabin.
Kathy was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a very strong testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. She was extremely devoted and dedicated to her faith. Kathy and John raised their family in a loving, Christ-centered home where she taught her children the Gospel with early morning scripture study and her example of how to pray.
Kathy and John taught English in China with the BYU China teachers for three school years. They also served two missions: one in Malaysia and a another in Hong Kong as temple workers.
Kathy radiated light and created beauty around her. This is not the end of her journey, but the beginning of another adventure where her heart and talents will be put to best use by ministering to more of God’s children. No doubt she will also be hard at work preparing for the arrival of her sweetheart, “Johnny Boy.” She is loved and will be greatly missed.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Irene Gibbs Parker, her brother Gerald Parker, her sister Janet Sorenson, her son Michael Spencer Stevens, and grandson Jason Shaun Stevens.
She is survived by her beloved husband John, brother Russ Parker, sisters Peggy Miller and Collette Malan, as well as her children: Shaun Stevens (Mabel), Trisha Kunze (AJ), Celeste Marsh (Rusty), Reagan Stevens (Marcie), Kendra Meyers (David), and (Tanya Fang Tang), 25 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
An incredible thanks to Canyon Home Care and Hospice for the many hours of tender care given to Kathy. We are so grateful to Rachel, Sarah, Anna, and Maria. Thank you for your compassion and love.
To view via zoom
https://springcreekstake.org/
Viewing: Monday, July 10th, 2023 - 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM - (MST) - Premier Funeral Services Midvale
Viewing: Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 - 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM - (MST) - LDS Church
Funeral: Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - (MST) - LDS Church
Graveside Service: Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 - Holden Utah Cemetery
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