Kathryn Parr Minson was born in Salt Lake City on February 15, 1948, to Afton Boberg and Paul Wallace Parr. An admirer of Robert Frost, classical music, and ballet, she attended Skyline High School with some of her dearest, life-long friends and graduated in 1966. She married her sweetheart, Stanley Harker Minson, on June 10, 1968. Together, they sang in choirs, built a beautiful home, and raised seven children—six boys and one girl.
Kathy changed the lives of countless students through her teaching in Jordan School District over 23 years. She taught English and Reading at Union Middle School for many years, instilling her love of poetry and good books into generations that followed. Many of her students still remember poetry they memorized in her classes. Her children continue to meet her former students and enjoy hearing how she positively influenced so many of their lives. She eventually became a middle-school librarian and built a wonderful legacy in her library by seeking out special grants and introducing students to the best of the written word.
Kathy is also known for her special green thumb. She has always had the ability to grow glorious flower gardens, and even though her children did not inherit this gift, they are competent gardeners thanks to the wisdom she shared with them. She loved to beautify her surroundings.
Kathy had a refined, warm, loving, intelligent, well-educated, artistic soul. She blessed the lives of so many people, including many caretakers and fellow-sufferers later in life. Kathy brought hope and peace to those around her as she endured the amputation of her right leg along with many other health challenges. Her strength and vibrancy inspired all those who came in contact with her, and she continued to love, mentor, and mother many precious souls until the end of her time on earth. She wrote poetry and primary hymns to express her deep and abiding testimony of God, her love of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and her joy in serving faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kathy returned home to her Heavenly Father on December 11, 2020, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandchild, who were joyfully waiting to greet her. Kathy is survived by her three brothers, (John, Sheldon, and Kenneth), her husband Stan, and some of her favorite gardening efforts—her children: Paul (Johanna-Maria), Kent (Trilea), Melynn (Hany Sheet), Mark (Michelle), Glen, Alan (Kristin), Bret (Laura), and 20 grandchildren and a grand-puppy. Her family misses her greatly, but they rejoice that she can now run, laughing and singing, “through the open fields of grace,” well and whole again.
At her request, there will be no memorial services. Her ashes will be interred in the Lehi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the LDS Humanitarian Fund.
Kathy and I were classmates at Skyline. I’m deeply saddened to know of your loss. She was a lovely person.
I enjoyed Kathys personality and hospitality while I was in a book club with her. She was fun and provided great insight.
I will miss her.
Kathy was a very kind and friendly woman. She always made everyone feel welcome at book club. I still use the blankets she made for my twins when they were born. She will be missed, my condolences to Stan and her family.
I taught with Kathy at Union Middle School for many years. She was dearly loved by both the students and the faculty. She was a very intelligent and caring teacher. I cherish the years that I was able to work with and learn from her.
Forever a Heroine, Forever Remembered, Forever an Example, Forever a Light, Forever Loved. 🌸💗🌺
Jeannie and Alan Hall
So loved you Kathy you are such a good kind friend!! You looked out for me on so many occasions in my life. So proud of your family and sad that you're gone but happy for you in heaven free from all the illness and hard times you had. Love you and your family 🥰
I first met Kathy when we were about ten. She was the niece and cousin of our next door neighbors. Any time her family came to visit, she would come get me and we would play. Fast forward many years to Midvale Middle. I became acquainted with several of her children and even had the opportunity to teach Melynn. Then years later I was appointed to be the principal at Union Middle School and found that Kathy was on the staff. I was impressed by her dedication and love of her students. She will be remembered by so many she touched. However, she loved her own children above all others. She was a wonderful mother. Hers was a life well lived and she will be missed. My condolences to the entire Minson family.
For nearly 60 years KP has accepted, tolerated, befriended, supported, and loved people like me. So grateful that I was able to speak with her before Thanksgiving and let her know how grateful I am for her and will be forever.
Oh, Kathy. How I will miss you! I will forever treasure our 52 years of friendship.
Kathy is an angel of a woman. My sweet and spunky friend. She was fearless in approaching people to share the gospel and any truth she felt prompted to share.
When our ward met the week after splitting she rolled right up to me in her wheelchair and just asked me about what we were going through. She started calling me her "little lamb." She adopted me at that time. She met my Mom and quickly became friends. They would chuckle and joke together. She was so sad when she passed suddenly almost 5 years ago. She would tell me about how amazing Heaven is. She had a special connection to those on the other side of the veil.
She would work hard to do whatever she could, despite her limitations. One time I caught her at the very end of her journey as she decided to drive her motorized wheelchair home from the Thanksgiving Point gardens because she wanted to be independent. That is about 5 miles in her wheelchair! She was worried because the battery on her chair was about to die. We followed her home at that point.
Heaven gained a true Saint. I know she will say hello to my Mama for me. Bless her family and all those who know her. It is a sad day for us. Happy for her as she is free from her earthy struggles.
Stan..... so sorry to hear of Kathy's death. I enjoyed her visits around the neighborhood as she was breaking the speed limit in her scooter. She had a bright sunny spirit and was always fun to talk with. I will miss her.
I loved Aunt Kathy. I was lucky enough to tend her oldest children when they were pretty little. Dang, they were smart. Kathy was so proud of them. Later in life, she was so kind when my mom passed away. She always told me I was just like her and that was the greatest compliment she could give me. When my special needs daughter was starting Jr. High I felt like I was sending a lamb to the slaughter. In walks Kathy again to save the day. She was the librarian at Joel P. Jensen where my daughter was going. She made sure my daughter was well looked after. My daughter knew if she needed help she could go and have a time out in the library and get some loving from her great Aunt. I will always be so thankful for her willingness to be there. I love you Aunt Kathy. Give mom a hug for me.
I taught with Kathy for many years at Union Middle School and as Jordan District school librarians. We worked together on our library media certifications. I drove us to many USU extension classes at Webber State, and we had long and enjoyable conversations on route. Wonderful memories of a wonderful colleague and friend.
We miss you. You were such a wonderful example to everyone in our community. We will surely miss you--but know you'll be waiting until we join you on the other side.
