Kathleen Samsel

Kathleen Ann Zornes Samsel, our beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully in Sandy, Utah March 27, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Kathy was born May 2, 1948 in Riverside, California to James Harley Zornes and Helen Louise Waldron Zornes, the oldest of three children (Gary James and Sandra Lee). She loved living in Southern California playing with her brother and sister and friends and living close to her grandparents.

Her fathers work moved them to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959. She graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1966 as valedictorian, a leader in student government, homecoming queen, senior prom queen, head cheerleader, among many other student involvements. She attended the University of Colorado (her father’s alma mater) for one year and then attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971 (Magna Cum Laude), majoring in elementary education.

She married Lynn Alvin Samsel on July 31, 1970. They would have celebrated 56 years of marriage in July. They have four children, Melissa Kathleen Van Putten (Carlton), Kristen Carol Morris (Nathan), James Lynn Samsel (Ashley) and David Spencer Samsel (TBD). She loved being a grandmother to her 14 grandchildren and great grandmother (Everett and Max) with one more on the way.

Kathy is a woman devoted to God, her Savior Jesus Christ and to her family and friends. She embodied unconditional love with others. She always listened with her whole heart. Her Church service was extensive. She served as a temple ordinance worker for over 17 years in the Jordan River and Draper Temples, which was her favorite place to be outside of the home. She also served in the community in a variety of capacities with several organizations including the PTA, Utah Food Bank, American Red Cross, Community Nursing Service (baking birthday cakes for those on hospice) and Catholic Community Services. One of her most cherished opportunities was her service as a member of the Scripture Committee in the Priesthood and Family Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kathy was an accomplished artist of needlework. She was commissioned by President Gordon B. Hinckley to complete a piece for the Nauvoo Temple.

She has a fervent testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Great Plan of Holiness and shared it often, mostly through her service to others by example. She loves the scriptures and drew strength every day from them, committing many of them to memory. She has always lived a life of faithfulness. She was brave to face every single day always doing her best, in every way. She is consummately kind and good.

She is a loving wife, supporting Lynn throughout his life of work and service. She is as close to a perfect mother as anyone could possibly ask or hope for. Her service to her family was often given at her own sacrifice. She is a loyal friend and drew strength from those associations. She was a best friend to many.

Kathy is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her brother Gary and sister-in-law Melinda. She is survived by her husband Lynn, her children, their families, her sister Sandra and her family as well as cousins.

Visitation: Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Wednesday April 1 from 6-8 pm and April 2 @ Cameo Park Ward Chapel 1700 East and Richard Road, from 9:30-10:30 am, prior to the service.

Funeral Services will be held April 2 at the Cameo Park Ward Chapel at 11:00 am.

For those unable to attend the services in person, the family invites you to join via Zoom by clicking the blue tab above that says "Watch Service". A free Zoom account is required and you will need to sign in to view the service.

Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery (2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City, Utah 84108).