Kathallene Kinney Homer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on May 14, 2026, at the age of 91. She lived a beautiful, extraordinary, and purposeful life that she cherished deeply, even as her body could no longer sustain the life she so loved. She endured her final difficult weeks with grace and gratitude.
Kathallene was born on July 25, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Alfred Adolphus Kinney and Allene Brockbank. When she was two years old, her father died in a tragic accident, a loss that profoundly shaped her early years.
From her mother’s second marriage, Kathallene was blessed to welcome two sisters, Heather and Pamela, with whom she shared a lifelong bond of love and friendship. The family made their home in Salt Lake City, as well as Berkeley, California, and Idaho Falls, Idaho.
During her junior and senior years of high school, Kathallene lived in Salt Lake City with her caring grandmother, Jennie Brockbank. After graduating from East High School, she attended BYU for one year. Although she did not have the opportunity to complete her degree, she never stopped pursuing knowledge—whether through reading, attending classes, or engaging in meaningful conversations with others.
On August 27, 1953, she married Quinten Leon Homer in the Idaho Falls Temple, which she later reflected was the greatest blessing of her life. Together, they built a life defined by enduring love, mutual support, and a shared devotion to family, faith, and service.
Kathallene’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished her role as a mother to her five daughters and one son, and instilled in them a love for learning, joy in togetherness, a strong work ethic, and a deep reliance on faith. Kathallene was adored by her 25 grandchildren, each of whom knew they held a special place in her heart. They loved visiting Grandma Katie’s welcoming home, where lasting memories were made and treasured family traditions continued.
Kathallene and Quinten were grateful for their decision to raise their family in Boise, Idaho, a community they loved and proudly called home for 61 years. They gave back through years of community involvement and volunteer service, touching many lives and making a positive difference through their work with various organizations. Along the way, they formed lifelong friendships that became a meaningful part of their lives. Even after moving to Utah in 2019 to be closer to family, they continued to form new and treasured friendships.
Faith and service were woven into every part of Kathallene’s life. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she generously shared her time and talents in many callings and auxiliaries. Especially close to her heart were her callings as a teacher and a temple worker. In her later years, she served two missions with her husband—at the Palmyra, New York Historic Sites and in the Nauvoo, Illinois Temple—which she considered among the highlights of her life. In her everyday life, Kathallene quietly sought opportunities to lift and serve others. She encouraged, comforted, and ministered to both friends and strangers.
The loving influence of our mother will continue for generations to come. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 71 years, Quinten. Kathallene is survived by her six children: Tanya Cutler (Dave), Stacey Edgington (Brad), Callie Thacker (Barton), Dana Moss (Brad), Melissa Mortensen (Quinn), and Lance Homer (Mariko); 25 grandchildren; 73 great-grandchildren; and her two sisters, Heather Meier and Pamela Rolfe.
A private family funeral will take place on Saturday, May 30, followed by graveside services at Larkin Sunset Gardens, Sandy, Utah. To watch the funeral service live on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. or to view a recording, please visit: https://homerfamily.org/funeral. Or click "watch services" on this page. We extend our gratitude to the dedicated caregivers with Quality Hospice and Crescent Assisted Living.
