Kay Stephenson

Inez Kay Winkler Stephenson passed away on Thursday, December 21st, at the age of 88, in Lehi, Utah.

Kay was born on March 11, 1935, in Ogden, Utah, to Inez Taylor and Gifford Joseph Winkler. She was adored by her parents, and it shows in the multitude of black and white photos from those early years. Kay's father died unexpectedly in a car crash in August of 1936, and she spent the next nine years being raised by her mother, with whom she was very close. Kay would often reminisce about those years and going to the corner grocery store hand-in-hand with her mom. When her mother married Delbert John Bingham in 1945, Kay was delighted at the prospect of having a dad again, and Delbert proved to be a wonderful father to her throughout her life. Over the years, she was joined by her sisters, Delpha, Sharon, Marian (deceased), and Joan, whom she loved dearly. Her gratitude for family was deep and she expressed it often.

In 1953, Kay was set up on a blind date with Conrad Joseph Stephenson. She was still in high school, while he had returned from military service and was enrolled in college. Despite the six year age difference, they hit it off and continued dating. On July 16, 1954, they were married in the Logan, Utah Temple.

While living in Ogden, UT, Kay and Conrad happily added two children, Jeff and Shauna to their family. In 1960, they made the difficult decision to relocate to California for a job opportunity, and eventually settled in Modesto, California, where they raised their family. Two more children, Lori and Lynda, were added to their family during this time, making it complete. Kay often said that more than anything, she had always wanted to be a mom and to have a family. She spent many hours reading with her children, making crafts, and being an open door in the neighborhood for friends, sleepovers, haunted houses, skits, water fights, games, and more.

Kay enjoyed the outdoors and loved to be outside working in her gardens when she could. Even pesky critters like tomato worms and gophers piqued her interest and curiosity. She loved all animals and allowed her children the opportunity of raising dogs, cats, parakeets, turtles, rats, and even little bunny Foo Foo over the years. She was fascinated with history and, to the aggravation of her children, loved to stop and read historical markers while traveling. She fueled her interests by being an avid reader and passed this trait on to her children.

For many years, Kay worked part time at Stanislaus Elementary School; first as a yard attendant and later as the school librarian. She enjoyed talking with the children and putting together book displays for them. She often took her own children to public libraries to encourage their love of reading.

Kay was also active with her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions of leadership, including being President of the Relief Society organization and a leader of the Young Womens program for many years. Many of the girls who went through the program during those years still remember her for her sense of humor at Girls' Camp and her willingness to join in on sledding trips and swim parties. Above all, she had a great love and appreciation for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She once wrote, "It is my hope to live the best that I can because I can think of nothing more wonderful than to be reunited with my Sweetheart, loved ones, the dad I never knew, and the sister and grandson who died in infancy. My hope is to stand before the Lord and to be greeted with the words, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'"

Kay is survived by her children, Jeff (Beth) Stephenson, Lori (Jeff) Dawson, and Lynda (Barry) Baxter; son-in-law, Jim Sorenson; 19 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Delpha (Mike) Arbon, Sharon (Steve) Borger, and Joan (Bill) Coombs.

She is predeceased by her husband, Conrad Joseph Stephenson; daughter, Shauna Sorenson; and grandson, Stephen Joseph Baxter.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 W 11000 N Highland, Utah 84003.