- "Katherine was born to John Leyland and Eva Smith Leyland and grew up in a farm in Midvale, Utah. She had fond memories of time spent in the pasture and orchard and growing up with her dear brother, John.
She attended college at the University of Utah and received a Bachelor's degree in nursing. She worked at several hospitals in the Bay Area and in Salt Lake City and her work as a nurse would later lead her travels with the Red Cross and volunteering in hospice care for patients with AIDS.
She married Boyd Labarth Fjeldsted in 1954 and they had a close relationship until his death just over a year ago.
She was a dear friend and loving mother and a particularly dedicated grandmother to her grandchildren - always ready for trips to the zoo, sword fights or digging holes. She made beautiful paintings, drawings, and a lovely garden. She enjoyed hiking, walks, and the outdoors.
She was very close to her mother. They went on an amazing adventure together in the former Soviet Union in the late 70's. She also had some unique traveling ventures that included a visit to India where her luggage made it home weeks before she did!
Katherine worked to promote women's equal rights and was associated with human rights groups with her church, the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salt Lake City. A service in celebration of her life will be held there later this summer.
Special thanks and blessings to the staff of CareGivers Support Network, Sunrise Senior Center, and Solstice Hospice.
Even in the most challenging times of her later years Katherine always said she felt lucky and that she was "very grateful" for the life she had.
We love her, and are grateful for our times with her.
Jeff, Cameron, and Julia
Fjeldsted Mathis Family"
(Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Jun. 24 to Jun. 25, 2018.)
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