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Posted By tatemortuary on October 9, 2009

Kathryn Dotson Wilson passed away peacefully at her daughter Judy’s home in Payson, Utah on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009. She was born on May 3, 1920, in Minersville, Utah, the first of seven children born to Henry Petty and Blanche Lunt Dotson. She spent her growing up years in Cedar City, Utah where she attended and graduated from high school as the valedictorian of her graduating class. Kathryn attended BAC at Cedar City University graduating in elementary education and receiving her teaching certificate from USU in Logan. She was approached by the faculty of the Rich County School District to teach in Woodruff upon her completion of school.

While beginning her teaching career Kathryn met the “Cowboy of her dreams” Stephen Mayo Wilson, and was married June 29, 1941. She loved teaching and even became a principal of Woodruff High School. However, with the times being different in the 40s, the state school board had a policy that women who were married could no longer teach. Kathryn was dismissed from teaching. During World War II law changed and she once again returned to the classroom. Upon the sale of their ranch in Randolph, Kathryn followed her husband to Rush Valley in Tooele County where they continued the profession of ranching. Kathryn enjoyed this life and helped in all areas she could. After the birth of their second child Jerry, they lost their ranch and moved to Tooele where Steve worked for the Tooele Army Depot on the railroad. Three additional children were born to them and life soon changed again as Superintendent Sterling Harris visited her at home and asked if she would teach fifth grade at Harris Elementary in Tooele which she readily accepted. As the town grew in numbers, new schools were built and she excitedly transferred to the new East Elementary teaching there for a number of years when she was again asked to help start the new Stansbury Elementary. She was named “Tooele County Teacher of the Year” and retired from teaching in 1983.

Katie was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous church callings, including leading music and teaching classes in Relief Society, Sunday School and Primary on ward and stake levels. She anxiously served an LDS mission at the ripe age of 75 to South Carolina.

Katie was very artistic and always taught sketching and watercolors to her students and spent a lot of her free time painting with oil colors. She loved to garden and was very proud of her roses. She enjoyed serving others and was always an active member of the Tooele Arts Council, and enjoyed being involved in the Tooele County Fair. For as long as remembered, she was an active member of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) holding various leadership positions. Other activities included being involved in Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and ushering at the Abravanel Hall for the Utah Symphony and singing in the Tooele sponsored Messiah at Christmastime.

Kathryn is preceded in death by her husband Steve, three infant sons, her parents and two brothers. Surviving her are her daughter Judy (John) Rupper of Payson, Jerry of Duchesne, Randy (Suzi) of Logan, Shelley (James) Hanhardt of Montana, and Susan (ElRoy) Zentner of Tooele. Kathryn had 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Viewing will be held on Oct. 15, 6-8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary. Funeral services will be Friday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. at the Tooele North Stake Center, 583 North 270 East, Tooele.

Our sincerest love and appreciation goes out to Love Hospice in Provo, Utah, with special thanks to Marilee and Rachel.

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