Kathleen Jeppesen King

Our beloved mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 3, 1950, in Ogden, Utah, to Preston Robert Jeppesen and Elsie Jean Knauss Jeppesen, the eldest of their three children.

She graduated from Bonneville High School and Weber State. While at Weber State, her hairdresser encouraged her to write to her nephew, who was serving in Vietnam. Their heartfelt correspondence, often written and read in the quiet light of the moon, blossomed into a lasting love after his return. Kathy’s marriage to her cowboy, Fred Roy King lasted into their 56th year together.

Kathy embraced life with a sense of adventure that shaped her family’s story. In their early years, she and Fred made homes in Logan, Salina, and Panguitch, Utah, as well as Logandale, Mesquite, and Las Vegas, Nevada, never afraid to follow new opportunities and experiences. Their greatest adventure came when they moved their family to Anchorage, Alaska, where they raised their three children, Kyle, Katie, and Kelly King. Alaska became a place of unforgettable memories, filled with fishing trips, exploring the outdoors, and fully embracing the beauty and challenge of the Last Frontier. Kathy especially loved salmon fishing with her family and was known for consistently outfishing Fred, often reeling in the biggest catch of the day, a point of pride and a source of many family stories and smiles. She also cherished traveling and taking vacations with her loved ones, finding joy in seeing the beauty of the world and experiencing it together. Along the way, they lovingly welcomed BJ Jones and her children into their family. In retirement, Kathy and Fred continued that spirit of adventure and hospitality, hosting friends and family at their cabin on the Kenai River before later moving to Farmington, Utah.

Kathy was deeply loyal and devoted to those she loved. She was always ready to listen, offer support, and bring people together. She had a gift for hospitality and found great joy in hosting gatherings filled with wonderful food, warmth, laughter, and connection.

Throughout her career, Kathy worked in a variety of roles, positions in a medical office, the Clark County Sheriff’s Department, The Hebrew Academy, Pacific Telecom Inc., and GCI. She valued not only the work she did but also the friendships she formed along the way, especially with BJ, Deb, and Bill and their respective families.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kathy served diligently in many callings and built lasting friendships within her church community.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother Robert Jeppesen (Susan), sister Carol Lucas, her husband Fred; her children, Kyle King, Katie Thornquest (Daniel), Kelly King (Lisa), and BJ Jones; as well as grandchildren Shanni, Daniel, Olivia, Ryan, Miriah, Joseph, Samuel, and three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy found her greatest joy in being a grandmother. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, creating crafts, and sharing special moments with them. They were the center of her world, and she never hesitated to set everything aside to be with them.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers and friends who supported and comforted her in her final days. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Her family finds great comfort in the knowledge that they will see her again.