Salt Lake City, UT-Our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend, passed away Monday May 7th at home, surrounded by her loving family.She was born December 28 to Edward Hoffman and Lillian Andersen Hoffman in Logan, Utah. As a young child Kathryn lived with her family in Venice, CA where her father was a contractor building homes. She enjoyed the fresh fruit and vegetable vendors that came by the house daily as well as the walks to the beach. After three years the family moved back to their beloved Cache Valley Ranch in Lewiston, UT. The family had wonderful associations in the Lewiston Second Ward area where Kathryn grew up. Kathryn excelled at playing piano for her brothers family band that performed at High School and Church dances. She graduated from North Cache High School and Seminary in 1939. Her family left the farm and moved back to Logan where she attended Utah State University. Kathryn worked at the University Library where she met her future husband. On May 26, 1942 Kathryn was married to Leo Wilbur Powell who was an engineering student. They were married in the Logan LDS Temple and after their marriage moved to Pasadena, CA where her husband worked for Fletcher Aircraft, building airplanes for WWII. In 1944 Kathryn and Leo moved back to UT and finally to the East Millcreek area where she spent the rest of her life. Kathryn was first and foremost a dedicated wife and mother who served her family faithfully. She also served in many LDS Church callings including playing the piano for Primary, Relief Society and other events. She continued to find great joy in music and playing the piano through her golden years. Kathryn was instrumental in starting a Sunday School Library that was later turned into a Ward Library. Kathryn was Secretary to the John Stout White Family Organization beginning in 1958. The genealogies, histories and pictures of many ancestors were gathered, organized and published for all the extended family to glean from. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and served as an officer in the Martha Capson Camp. Kathryn found great joy in genealogy and through her efforts has preserved many family history treasures. Leo and Kathryn served together as full time Genealogy Missionaries in the California Los Angeles Mission, working at the library on the LDS Temple Grounds, and then as Patron Services Coordinators from 1987 through 1988. After returning home to the Garden Heights South Ward they served as Ward Genealogy Consultants. For Kathryn her greatest joy has always been her association with her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. She served everyone with unconditional love and cherished each person. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she was able to touch.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers (Howard, Don & Grant), her husband, Leo Wilbur Powell, a daughter, Rosemary Jorgensen (Robert), Bountiful, UT; and grandson, Matthew David Powell.
She is survived by her brother James Hoffman (Janey), Cupertino, CA and her Children: David Leo Powell (Linda), North Salt Lake, UT; Eloise Carlston (Jan), Sandy, UT; Diane Degner (Norm), Alder, MT; Edward Wilbur Powell (Lisa), Fort Collins, CO; and Jeffrey Grant Powell (Barbara), Salt Lake City, UT. Kathryn has 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Our family wishes to thank the wonderful volunteers and caregivers from Utah Hospice Specialists.
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