Kathleen McDonald Stout Obituary

In Loving Memory

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Kathleen McDonald Stout, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026. After learning she had left this earth, her dear friend at Sunrise Assisted Living of Sandy said, “A great tree has fallen.”

Kathleen’s pride and joy in life was her family. She would tell you her greatest achievements were being the supportive and cherished wife of Mason, the loving mom to her 4 daughters, and being the book-mailing, Hogle zoo-going, and letter-writing Nana to 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She often said her greatest blessing was the fact that her 4 daughters loved each other so much.

Kathleen taught her daughters the value of hard work by example. She believed in them, encouraged them, and let them know they could achieve any goals they set. She was so proud of her family’s achievements and was always their biggest fans!

Kathleen just celebrated her 90th birthday! She was born May 19, 1936, in Salt Lake City to Adonna Hunt Ivory and John Alexander McDonald. Kathleen was blessed with an idyllic childhood growing up in Salt Lake City where she graduated from East High School. She was proud of the fact that she never missed a day of school in all 12 years. She attended the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in business.

Kathleen married Mason Gardner Stout on June 6, 1960. They moved across the country for schooling and job pursuits several times during their married life. Pulling up roots so often was difficult for Kathleen - but she did it beautifully. She always built new relationships and had dear friends all across the country. One of her greatest assets was her positive attitude which she utilized to help her daughters navigate the newness of schools, friends, and routines with grace and assurance.

Kathleen had a strong testimony of our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nowhere did this testimony shine more brightly than through music. Her favorite callings were in Primary teaching the children songs or accompanying them on the piano. At age 18, Kathleen joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, singing alongside her mother. She once shared that the choir’s conductor, J. Spencer Cornwall, gave her the most beautiful compliment of her life when he said that she had her mother’s alto voice. Kathleen moved in and out of the Salt Lake area 3 times. She was able to rejoin the choir each time and serve through music and the spoken word for nearly 20 years. Her mother’s advice came true when she told Kathleen to “stick with music and you’ll see the world”. Kathleen traveled the world with the Tabernacle Choir. While on a Choir trip In 1982 in Copenhagen, Kathleen sang alto in a quartet before the Queen of Denmark.

Along with music, Kathleen’s soul was filled through nature and the arts. She taught her family to appreciate, if not love, the symphony, beautiful artwork, poetry, and the grandeur of God’s creations. She loved to declare “oo-ahh, oo-ahh” out the window anytime the family was on a drive in the mountains, walking through the autumn leaves, or as the bright colors of spring were popping.

Kathleen knew her etiquette! Her manners were impeccable! She loved setting a beautiful table of china and crystal for a luncheon and always knew which fork to use! She was a believer in always putting her best foot forward!

She was an excellent cook and baker. Her orange rolls were often requested at dinner parties. She made the best vegetable soup, raspberry jam, chocolate chip cookies, and caramels at Christmas.

Kathleen spent time teaching music to classes of children with special needs for several years. This was some of her most rewarding work. As a widow of almost 20 years, she stayed active and engaged with callings at church, outings and adventures with friends, and volunteering at grade schools helping children learn to read.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mason; her three brothers: John Dermott McDonald, Dennis Ivory McDonald, George Neil McDonald (Margo); and is survived by her sister, Patricia Campbell (Courtney); and 4 daughters: Alison Millson (Kirk); Lisa Stout Miyatake (Greg); Paula Carter (Mitch); and Sara Apke (Joe).

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive. Those who wish to visit with family may come at 10:00 a.m.. Our profound thanks to all the compassionate, capable professionals who so tenderly cared for Kathleen at Sunrise of Sandy Assisted Living and Memory Care. In Lieu of flowers, please join us in making a donation in memory of Kathleen Stout to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/.

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Tributes

What a beautiful talented woman.. I feel so honored to
Have the blessing of getting to know her. At some of the Miyatake’s events… Thank you for sharing her with us… My condolences and love to your family
Jerilynn Miyatake…

Jerilynn Miyatake

To Alison, Lisa, Paula and Sara
My deepest sympathy to the whole family as this sad time.
Your mom must of been an amazing woman to have produced 4 wonderful loving daughters and her memory lives on in you, her grand children and great grandchildren.
With love Lorraine

Lorraine Bennett

She was one of the most beautiful, talented women I’ve ever known… my love from Jerilynn Miyatake…

Jerilynn Miyatake

Kathleen raised 4 exceptional daughters with whom I was lucky enough to became fast friends. They treated me like a sister, always asking about me whenever they came in to be with their Mom. I watched them be so kind to EVERYONE at Sunrise. They have class and so did Kathleen!!
After reading Kathleen's obituary, I know where they got their drive to always be busy doing good!
I made an eternal friend in Kathleen. She had wit and some great one liners that still make me laugh! She would always ask me to join her on the Sunrise bus rides. I, of course, could not leave the desk and go but I loved her eternal optimism that it was totally possible ; )
You know someone is special when age difference has no bearing and you feel happy just seeing them! That is how it was with Kathleen. In fact, the last thing she said to me was, "We need to make some plans!". We will, my friend!
Love you always!

Stephanie Seelos

When my husband recently passed away, Lisa who has befriended one of my daughters, came to his viewing.
Who does that? Very special people
do that!!! I was so touched by Lisa’s
support to us and grateful that our daughter had made such wonderful friends through meeting Kathleen and her daughters. My sincere condolences at their loss of their mother—a very special woman. ❤️

The mother of Stephanie

I had the privilege of meeting Nana Kathleen only once, but I was immediately struck by her Grace and warm demeanor. I have no doubt that her love and guidance helped shape a wonderful family of which a small part has now become part of my own. My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her.

Aida Beros

The mother of Stephanie

I loved getting to know Kathleen. She was always so kind & welcoming to me & my family when we moved to her neighborhood. I have missed her and am so glad she has moved on to be with her amazing husband. I’m sorry I can’t be at her service but will be thinking of all of you.

Shirley Scruggs

One of the many blessings that has come to me personally because my daughter married one of Kathleen’s grandsons was being able to rub shoulders with Kathleen and all four of her daughters! I loved every interaction I had with Kathleen over the last 18 years. She was always kind and gracious to me. I admire all four of her daughters so very much. Thank you to Paula, Lisa. Allison and Sara for being such good examples of unconditional love for each other and for your mom. May God bless you with peace and strength and comfort for all you did for your mom. No regrets! You did beautifully!

Barbara Moe

My love and condolences to your family for the loss of your Mother.. she was such a beautiful person.. what a awesome example for her family.,,
Love from,
Jerilynn Miyatake.,,,

Jerilynn Miyatake

Its bittersweet to think she is gone, the bitter, but after such a magnificent life, the sweet!

I have memories going back to Turtle Rock, playing in the back yard, and rides home from Church in her station wagon.
And more recently going to a Christmas Event at the Conference Center and Kathy explaining the perspectives of the performers and the music, details I never would have seen.

I am grateful to have been able to see the funeral. via the Zoom link. The music and memories and great thoughts all the speakers provided were touching and spiritual and meaningful.

My love and prayers are with everyone.

Jon Thatcher

Kathleen was a wonderful, distinguished, talented, faithful, and interesting woman. Getting to know her and Mason during their stays with the Apkes in Boston was a privilege. We enjoyed many gatherings, holiday and otherwise, in which we were able to spend time together and get to know them. Kathleen had a great sense of humor. She and I shared a number of things in common: our love for choral and sacred music; the Tabernacle Choir; New York City; the Metropolitan Opera; and, of course, the Apkes. I have great memories of our trip to Tanglewood to hear the Tabernacle Choir perform the Brahms Requiem with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. We also went together to see the Boston Lyric Opera’s summer performance of Carmen on Boston Common. She was wonderful company on these musical adventures. She leaves a wonderful legacy of faith, family, and friendships. Blessings of peace and comfort to her wonderful daughters and their families! Her goodness lives on in each of them.

Michael Thomas

Kathy was my mentor in our child raising years in Irvine, California. I still have and love the elna sewing machine that she recommended to me. And I still treasure her recipe for lasagna in her handwriting. Everyday that we spent together was so special. I used to make cardamom rolls for her but her orange rolls are still talked about by our children! Rest in peace, Kathy.

Birgitta Glassen

We feel blessed we were able to know your sweet mom.

Randy and Laura Lang

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