Kathy Stoddard

After a courageous battle with breast cancer, Lois Kathryn Stoddard, age 74, passed away peacefully at her home in Minersville, Utah on July 8, 2026. She was surrounded by children and siblings who loved her dearly.

Kathy was born in Cedar City, Utah on March 31, 1952 to Clarence Wayne Gillins and Lois Merle Black. She was raised in Minersville Utah, where she attended Minersville Elementary from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Minersville was a magical place to grow up where Kathy spent her youth living carefree with cousins and siblings, helping at the dairy with the cows, baling hay, riding horses, hunting for sour sockets, participating in 4-H and spending time with grandparents and great aunts and uncles. She cherished the stories of those who came before her.

Kathy then attended and graduated from Beaver High School in Beaver Utah. While in high school, Kathy was a member of the Peppettes and participated in choir. Kathy worked at various fast food places in Beaver. In her senior year, Kathy was elected President of the FHA - Future Homemakers of America. In hindsight, it was a meaningful indication of the path her life would take as her greatest desire in life was to be a mother and a homemaker; she did these things beautifully. Some of Kathy’s most favorite pastimes were gardening, canning, and baking. She passed down these talents to her children, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. We will be sad when the last bottle of Grandma Kathy’s salsa is gone!

After high school Kathy went to Cedar City, Utah and attended Southern Utah State College from 1970-1971. She studied boys and bowling! And many more subjects! She later went to Salt Lake City to live with her Grandpa and Grandma Jolly. She had several different jobs working at the airport, waitressing, and JC Penny’s.

Kathy realized she had a couple choices to make, college or career, but soon met and married Donald Stoddard April 27,1973 in Minersville, Utah and later was sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple. Kathy spent her married life supporting Don in his career moving her family many times. Their journey took them all over the state of Utah, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona. Thankfully, they were able to finally settle down and retire in their beloved Minersville. Together they had 7 children and 35 grandchildren. These precious souls were her life and brought her great joy!

She gave everything to being a mother, and her children are forever grateful to have such a fun, lovable, selfless mother who sacrificed so much for them. Being a grandma also brought her so much happiness. All the babies loved Grandma Kathy! Even in the last years of her life, when traveling was so difficult, Kathy did all that she could to attend graduations, birthdays, baptisms, missionary farewells, temple weddings, ball games, track meets, plays, soccer matches, choir concerts, dance recitals, anything and everything for grandkids even when it was out of state!

Kathy was a loving and compassionate caretaker. She selflessly cared for so many of her loved ones, including her dad and husband, before they passed away. Her home was always filled with many nieces, nephews, friends, siblings, in-laws, outlaws, children, and grandchildren who needed refuge and someone to love them. Kathy’s home was a safe place for everyone!

Kathy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings in the church including Relief Society President, Stake and Ward Young Women's, Ward Missionary, Scouting, and Activity Days. She served faithfully in each of these callings. Her faith in her Savior Jesus Christ was so important to her, and she embodied Christ in all that she did. She was selfless, kind, humble, generous, forgiving, charitable, and loving. Kathy had an infectious laugh and smile and was easy to be around. She did all that she could to make others feel loved and welcome. Kathy was brave and strong. The last years of her life Kathy faced her illness with dignity and grace. She never complained or wanted to burden others. She taught her children about perseverance, resilience and endurance.

Kathy is survived by her children Eric (Betsy), Justin (Jessica), Kristel (John Overman), Preston (Erin), Wayne (Emily), Luke (Susan), and Samatha, her siblings Debra (Chris Marshall), Mike (Nalani) Gillins, Mitch (Shari) Gillins, Gary Gillins, Steve (Brenda) Gillins, Cynthia (Adam Davis), and 35 grandchildren including 2 grandchildren-in-law. She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Stoddard, her parents Wayne and Merle Gillins, sisters-in-law Becky and Brenda Gillins, and other family members.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Minersville 2nd Ward Chapel (130 W. Main Street, Minersville, UT). Viewings will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and on Friday prior to the service from 9:00 – 10:30 am, both will be held at the church. Interment will be at the Minersville Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.

To view the livestream and share online condolences, please visit www.mortuary.org.