Kathryn Marie Steffensen

Kathryn West Steffensen 1931-2016

Kathryn Marie West Steffensen passed away Friday, January 29, 2016 at age 84 following a full and joyous life.  She was born August 31, 1931 in Logan, Utah, the fourth and youngest child of Franklin L. West and Violet Madson West.  Her first 15 years were spent in Logan, an ideal small college town.  She roamed freely in the open fields, fairgrounds and Willow Park adjacent to her home.  She rode spirited five-gaited horses with her father, enjoyed hiking in the mountains near the family cabin in Logan Canyon, and developed an enduring love of nature.

When her family moved to the foothills of North Salt Lake, she attended Davis High, graduating as valedictorian in 1949.  Her four years at the University of Utah she described as “The Halcyon Days,” a perfect time.  She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Spurs and Cwean service organizations, Phi Kappa Phi scholastic honorary, and was a varsity debater competing in California, Oregon, and Washington D. C.  She graduated with high honors in 1953 having made friendships that lasted a lifetime.

On April 17, 1953 she married her college sweetheart, Robert Steffensen, in the Salt Lake Temple.  They raised their 5 children in Cottonwood Heights.  When her youngest entered school, she returned to the U of U, earned a M.Ed., and taught 2nd grade for 20 years at Bella Vista and Willow Canyon Elementary Schools in the Jordan School District.  It thrilled her when her students learned to read, and she was passionate about instilling a love of art, music, and creative writing.  She loved playing her guitar and singing folk songs with groups of students.

After retirement she became an eloquent voice for tolerance and social justice, especially for LGBT people.  She indulged her love of nature, spending time at National Parks and Monuments, the California coast, the Logan Canyon cabin, and every available flower garden, especially her own.  She met regularly with friends in Lunch Bunch, Cleofan, Family Fellowship, Stratford and Norwegian dinner groups, and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  For decades she enjoyed Utah Symphony/Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and Pioneer Theatre Company.  She cherished time spent with her family and husband of 63 years. 

She was a member of the LDS church and served in all its auxiliaries.  In her youth, she was carefully taught the gospel principles of love and service to the Lord and one’s fellowmen, and she lived her life according to that template.  She will be remembered for her keen intellect, sparkling wit, moral courage, and devotion to family and friends.

Survived by her husband, Robert Steffensen; 3 sons: Brian (Susan Frost), David (Pamela Stevens) and Erik; 10 Steffensen grandchildren: Jamie (Mark Spencer), Adam (Randa Viera), Micah (Madeline Olsen), Aaron, Isaac, Caleb, Claire, Sophie Rose, Parker and Caitlin; 4 Spencer great-grandchildren: Charlie, Eliza Jane, Isaiah and Rosemary; and a half-sister, Rosalie (David King).

Preceded in death by twin daughters, Kari and Karen; siblings, Franklin L. West Jr. (Frances Montrose), Marian (Willard Wilkinson) and Josephine (Fred Steele); and daughter-in-law, Jane Rich Steffensen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the Monument Park 14th Ward building, 2255 South Wasatch Drive.  You can greet the family on Friday, February 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the Monument Park 14th ward building or prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the same location.  Interment will be at the Memorial Estates cemetery, 3115 E Bengal Blvd., Salt Lake City, UT.  Funeral Directors Russon Brothers Mortuary.  Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com

In lieu of donations, please send flowers.  She loved flowers.