Kathryn Stephenson Goates

Kathryn Stephenson Goates, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and musician, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in Murray, Utah, at the age of 88. She departed this life leaving behind a legacy of love, music, laughter, and faith that will endure in the hearts of all who knew her.

Born July 22, 1938, in Fillmore, Utah, to J. Maiben and Ruth Brunson Stephenson, Kathryn was a tiny five-pound baby who grew into a woman of immeasurable heart, warmth, and faith. She was the youngest of four children, cherished by brothers, Charles and Malcolm and her dear sister, Sharon. At the age of four, Kathryn’s family moved to Lehi, Utah, across the street from the family of Morris Goates, the boy who would one day become her husband.

After graduating from Lehi High School, Kathryn attended Brigham Young University, where she majored in Elementary Education. She taught kindergarten in Provo and Murray for several years. On August 12, 1960, Kathryn and Morris were married in the Salt Lake Temple, and made their home in Murray, Utah, where they raised their family and built a life rooted in faith, service, and abundant love. Together they welcomed six children: Gregory, Russell, Cheryl, Karen, Kristen, and Michael. When her beloved sister Sharon passed away in 1968, Kathryn and Morris opened their hearts and home to Sharon’s four daughters — Peggy, Lori, Kelly, and Carolyn — raising them as their own. Together, they became one joyful family. Kathryn always knew she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher and a mother — and she succeeded beautifully at both.

Music was the thread woven through every chapter of Kathryn’s life — from the cello and ukulele she played as a girl, to the guitar and banjo she played alongside her beloved Aunt Olive Partridge in the Utah Old Time Fiddlers. She was a passionate musician, playing multiple instruments, in four different bands at rest homes, care centers, churches, and civic gatherings across the valley, often having more than one performance in the same day.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kathryn was a woman of deep and abiding faith. She served faithfully in her Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society callings. She also had the joy of serving together with Morris as an Ordinance Worker at the Jordan River Temple and serving as an inner-city missionary in Salt Lake City.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Morris, her parents, brothers (Charles and Malcolm), and sister (Sharon). She is survived by her six children: Gregory (KaraLee) Goates, Russell (Rachel) Goates, Cheryl (Dave) Carter, Karen (Steve) Peterson, Kristen (Quentin) McRae, and Michael (Shalisa) Goates; nieces: Peggy (Del) Christian, Lori (Brian) Paulsen, Kelly (Mark) Rich, and Carolyn (Rob) McPherson; 26 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor Kathryn’s life will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10:30 am at the Brownstone Chapel, 6410 South 725 East, Murray Utah. Viewings will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, and on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 9:00-10:00 am at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will be at Lehi City Cemetery, 1525 North 600 East, Lehi, Utah. For those unable to attend in person, a live webcast of the funeral service may be viewed at www.jenkins-soffe.com

The family would like to sincerely thank nurse Meggan, and the caregivers and friends at Abbington Senior Living of Murray for their exceptional care and joy they brought to Kathryn’s final days.

To know Kathryn was to know what it felt like to be someone’s favorite. She had a gift for making every person feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.