Kathleen Palmer Terry

Kathleen Palmer Terry, 77, died, surrounded by family, of cancer August 2, 2026. She was born October 14, 1948, in Farmington, New Mexico, to Verdell Farr and Miles Stewart Palmer, the fifth of 10 children. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1966 and attended Ricks College, in Rexburg, Idaho. She then studied interior design at Provo Technical College. She married Ted Dodge in the Manti Temple in 1968. They were the parents of six children. They raised their children in New Mexico, California, Texas, Idaho, and Utah. They later divorced. Kathleen was gifted in many ways, including a facility for writing, especially poetry, piano, dance, sewing, interior design, entertaining, organizing, multi-tasking, and bringing fun to every occasion. She was the favorite of many family members and friends because she was fun, funny, creative, and highly entertaining. She was a valued employee in the various jobs she worked, because she was smart, a fast worker, and efficient in finding better ways of accomplishing tasks. She wanted to be a dancer, but didn’t have that opportunity as a girl, so she made sure her two daughters were given ballet lessons and loved seeing them blossom into beautiful, accomplished dancers. She kept a clean, well-decorated home that was welcoming to all guests. She was a gracious hostess and invited extended family members to live in her home when they needed temporary housing between moves and welcomed a niece for a school year when she needed a change of venue. Her Sunday dinners famously included all hungry college students among her nieces and nephews. One of the most endearing things she did for the family was to make certain her brother’s children were included in every family gathering following his divorce, and later his death. This has served to preserve close and loving bonds that might otherwise have disappeared from neglect. Her parents tasked her with being the family historian, which assignment she willingly took on. She didn’t do it halfway. She used photos, documents, and other materials to create books about both parents and her oldest brother who had died at age 6 in the polio epidemic. She also made scrapbooks and photo albums for each of her brothers and sisters with photos and memorabilia from annual family reunions, weddings, funerals, missionary farewells, and other occasions. Additionally, she sorted through reams of documents, photos, and memorabilia and mailed packages to cousins and friends with such treasures that were pertinent to them. Kathleen held strong opinions about political and cultural affairs, particularly what she saw as challenges in the education of school children. She was a force to be reckoned with, too, and was never afraid to make her voice heard in a worthy cause. Kathleen was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. Perhaps she loved best working with the Young Women. Her daughter remembers her as being an amazing leader and the other girls always telling her how lucky she was to have such a fun mom. Her life was devoted to serving others, and even when the cancer was sapping her strength, she still felt the need to nurture and serve. Kathleen married Marshall Terry in 2014, and added his sons, their wives, and 10 grandchildren to her world. Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Miles Stewart, Myra Plumb, and Milton Farr, grandchildren Mia Sienna Dodge and Alex Miles Whittaker. She is survived by her husband, brothers Bruce (Angie), Michael (Faith), Dan (Shenole), and David (Sheri), sisters Gail (Don) Higgins, and Susan (Joe) Baker, children Jeffrey (Becky), Michele (Kevin) Saunders, Ryan (Celeste), Eric (Julie), Nathan (Kylie), and Susannah (Margo) Oliver, 26 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Bloomington LDS Stake Center located at 200 W. Brigham Road, St. George, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to services from 9:00-9:45 a.m. at the same location. Interment will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery.