Ardeth G. Kapp

Ardeth Greene Kapp, who was beloved by literally millions during her long life, returned Home on Easter weekend. As was so typical of Ardeth, her timing was impeccable. For a woman who devoted her life to talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ, how appropriate it was that she would complete her earthly ministry as the world commemorated the infinite Atonement and supernal Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Years ago, when Ardeth wrote a book entitled, Echoes from My Prairie, she likely did not foresee that the echoes of her life, which began in Glenwood, Alberta, Canada on the sweeping southern Alberta prairie, would reach literally around the world. Born on March 19, 1931, to Julie Leavitt Greene and Edwin Kent Greene, Ardie (as she came to be known far and wide) might have expected to live a quiet life outside the public eye. But it was not to be.

For it seems that heaven had its all-knowing eye on Ardie from her earlier years. She left the small community of Glenwood to finish high school at BYU High in Provo, Utah. She subsequently studied at Weber State College, and then went on to receive academic degrees from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University—ultimately receiving a master’s degree in curriculum development.

Her move from southern Alberta to Utah proved crucial, because it put her in closer proximity to Heber Kapp, whom she first met when then–Elder Kapp stayed overnight in Bishop Greene’s home during part of his mission to Western Canada. The young Ardeth—just 16 at the time—was smitten by the engaging, handsome elder. When Elder Kapp left Glenwood, Ardie saved the laundry tag from his shirt, hoping against hope that one day she would iron those shirts for him as his wife. Elder Kapp did not immediately reciprocate, even writing in his journal, “Stayed in Bishop Greene’s home and met his daughter Ardeth. She is cute and fun but kind of young.” Time has a way of healing misperceptions, however, and Ardie and Heber Kapp were sealed in the Cardston Alberta Temple on June 28, 1950.

Ardeth’s move to Utah and her degree at BYU opened other doors. She served as chairman of the advisory committee on women’s concerns at BYU and was a member of the education faculty for a season. Over the years, she became a much-loved speaker and author, writing some twenty books as well as a series of television programs for the Utah Network for Instructional Television (UNIT).

In 1972, Ruth H. Funk called Ardeth to serve as her second counselor in the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her service in this capacity concluded in 1978, but just six years later, she was called to serve as General President of the Young Women Organization, shouldering responsibility for young women throughout the world.

Ardeth’s dynamic presidency, which spanned eight years, included at various times Elaine L. Jack, Jannette C. Hales, and Patricia Holland as counselors. Working unitedly as a presidency and General Board of the Young Women, they developed a classic Young Women program that included Personal Progress, Young Women values and colors, and a Young Women theme that has influenced and blessed literally millions of teenage girls.

Subsequent to this service, Ardeth and Heber served as leaders of the Canada Vancouver mission from 1992 to 1995 and as president and matron of the Cardston Alberta Temple from 2000 to 2003—precisely fifty years after they were married there.

The echoes of Ardeth Kapp’s life that began on the rolling, bald-headed prairie of southern Alberta have resounded literally throughout the world. Her influence reached kings and presidents, ambassadors and ministers from the Philippines to Bolivia, from Australia to England. Ardeth’s spirit of optimism about life coupled with unending enthusiasm for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ was truly infectious. When asked how she was, she often responded: “Better than I was but not as good as I am going to be.” Through the inevitable ups and downs of life, her greatest joy was testifying of the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and encouraging all who would listen to follow Him.

Heber’s death seven years ago left Ardie with just half of her heart, but she was determined to endure to the end faithfully as well as exuberantly. She often encouraged others to “try a little harder to be a little better,” which was exactly what she modeled for all who fell within the sphere of her influence.

Ardeth is survived by her sisters Sharon Larsen (Ralph) and Shirley Mae Burnham (Ron), her sister-in-law Jackie Greene, her nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews and countless friends and fellow Latter-day Saints who looked to her for counsel and encouragement.

The funeral for Ardeth will be held in the Bountiful Central Stake Center, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, Utah 84010, Monday, April 8 at noon. Visitations at the same chapel will be held Sunday, April 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Interment in the Bountiful Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please invite a loved one to “try a little harder to be a little better” . . . for Ardie.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and this obituary page starting 10 minutes prior to when services begin.