Cleo Jeppson Sutter

Cleo Wagstaff Jeppson Sutter

“Love, and more love to come”                        1931 – 2020

Bountiful, Utah – Cleo Wagstaff Jeppson Sutter passed away from natural causes, age 88, surrounded by her family, in Bountiful, Utah on Feb. 23, 2020.    She was born at home on Dec. 9, 1931 in American Fork, Utah, and was the oldest daughter of Eva Mary Wright and Keith Amos Wagstaff.    Her mother died when she was three and her brother was only six months old.  She grew up in American Fork with her father, her step-mother Ladean, and a family that grew to be four brothers and a sister.   All of her siblings are still living.

As a young girl being raised on a farm, she soon realized that hard work and applying herself to face head on any task would be the only ways she could have the nice things of life.  She learned to work with her hands and sewed her own clothing, including her cheerleader outfit at American Fork High.   She gained through experience many homemaking skills because her parents often had to work outside of the home which made her the chief caretaker of her younger siblings.

At 19 years of age she married Leroy Richard Griffin and had three children.   In her late 20’s she found herself divorced and raising her family as a single parent.    In 1962 she met Saylor Call Jeppson, who had also been through a divorce and had three children of his own.    He became her dearest companion of life and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on June 20, 1963.  Together they raised their six children as well as a daughter of their own, they being: Gary (Joanne), Pam (Ken), Teri (Morris), Dennis (Vickie), Debbie (Ken), Jedd (Tasha) and Lisa (Blaine).  With such a large family, and 6 teenagers in the home at one time, her skills at homemaking and sewing were much needed, challenged, and appreciated.

Cleo was a devoted mother to all of her children, and often sacrificed much for their wellbeing.   She ran a very organized and clean home, establishing many rich traditions which her children still enjoy in their respective homes today.  Whenever tragedy struck, as in 1983 when Dennis had severe head trauma in a jeep accident, she was constantly by his side helping him to recover and learn anew the many basics skills of life.   When she discovered that her youngest daughter Lisa had severe allergies to various foods, she researched and championed new recipes, ingredients, and methods of preparing food so that Lisa would be protected.  

She was always very devoted in her beliefs and she is known for a strong testimony of her Savior.  She loved to place inspiring messages in prominent places around the home.  She served a mission to New York, Bermuda with her husband Saylor.  After his death in 1996, she married Edward Sutter whom she had known in high school. Together they served missions to Scotland and Oregon, as well as worked in the temple.   She was always steadfast to do whatever callings or services that were requested of her.  It was only when she had two severe strokes, in 2014 and 2015, that her life of serving others changed to one where she was in turn receiving service.  She appreciated all who helped her during these last 5 years of her life.

 She cherished being called “Nana” by her grandchildren, and she will always be loved by her posterity which today consists of 21 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  She is preceded in death by all three of her husbands, a daughter-in-law, and a grandchild.

Special thanks to the staff at Welcome Home Assisted Living, and for the last week of her life thanks to Symbii Hospice (Alisa, Shaylee, Jessica), for their loving care of Cleo.

Funeral services will be held Feb 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Woodland Hills Ward building at 659 S. 750 E, Bountiful, Utah with a viewing an hour prior to the services.  Also, a Friday night viewing, on the 28th, will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Bountiful from 6 to 8 PM.