Kay Bateman Spjut

Kay Bateman Spjut passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 84 on January 10, 2022 following a long year of medical set-backs. Born in Logan, Utah on May 21, 1937 to Orrel and E. Allen Bateman, Kay was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from South High School in 1955 and went on to complete a BA in English at the University of Utah in 1959 and an MA in English from Utah State University in 1966.

Kay taught English and Humanities at Jordan High School for 33 years. She embraced teaching with a passion, influencing and enriching the lives of countless students, priding herself on turning doubters into lovers of poetry and Shakespeare, and taking students on epic field trips to the San Rafael Swell to experience first hand the rock art and preserved sites of Ancestral Native American cultures. Kay’s diverse interests included art history, literature, world travel, poetry, world religion, archeology and of course bridge.

Kay delighted in raising three outstanding (her words, not ours) sons on her own; Philip (Lisa) Ensign, Craig (Belinda) Ensign and Michael (Christena) Ensign. After two practice marriages, Kay found the love of her life at the age of 57 and spent 6 wonderful years with Reed Spjut before his passing in 2000 . Among their fondest memories were summers as campground hosts at Posey Lake on Boulder Mountain. Kay also loved Reed’s family. In addition to his sons, Eric (Karen) Spjut and Scott (Gina) Spjut, Kay felt that she had been blessed with the daughter she never had, Leanna (David) Spjut DiFrancesco. Kay cherished her relationships with her and Reed’s grand and great grandchildren.

Kay connected with people and enjoyed deep lasting friendships throughout her life. Never one to stagnate, Kay discovered hard-shell gourd art at the age of 70 and went on to become an accomplished gourd artist whose carved and painted works continue to inspire with awe. Kay was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will forever be remembered as one of the great gospel doctrine teachers. She also cherished her years of service as a docent at the Church History Museum.

Kay is preceded in death by her husband Reed Spjut and step-son Scott (Gina) Spjut.

Services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 22, 2022 at the Bonneville Ward, 1535 East Bonneview Dr, Salt Lake City, Utah, where a viewing will precede the services from 9:45 am to 10:45 am. Graveside services will follow at approximately 12:45 pm at the Midvale City Cemetery, 471 6th Ave, Midvale, UT.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and this obituary page.