Kathy Thomas

 

Kathleen Thomas Diederich was born on January 3, 1947, to Richard and Helen (Call) Thomas in Salt Lake City, Utah. After suffering multiple strokes in a 12-hour period, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 17, 2024, at the age of 77.

Kathy grew up in Bountiful, Utah and was very social and surrounded herself with many good friends. She loved playing sports with the neighborhood kids, especially softball. Her grandparents, Irvin and Mary Call, were very influential in her upbringing. She loved spending most Sundays at their house, surrounded by her aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

She graduated from Bountiful High School with the class of 1965. She was heavily involved in many activities including drama, choir, and student council. She competed in a synchronized swimming group and she also performed all over the valley in the Teen Tones singing group. She worked at ServUs Drug at their soda fountain and loved it.

Kathy was set up on a blind date with Rudi Diederich in 1965. After dating for three years, including a two-year long-distance relationship while Rudi served in the army in Germany, they married in the Salt Lake Temple on Rudi’s birthday, January 22, 1968.

She graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s degree in teaching Physical Education in 1968. She taught PE at Viewmont High School for 2 years and started their drill team.

Kathy and Rudi bought their first home in Bountiful, Utah and had three of their four children there. They loved their five years back in Kathy’s hometown and close to her parents while having babies and young kids. They then moved to Orem, Utah, for Rudi’s job and had their last child there. They have loved living in Orem for the past 49 years where they made many life-long friends.

Kathy was a great homemaker and is known for her clean home, amazing cooking, and was the ultimate hostess. She loved snow skiing, playing tennis competitively, and was almost as competitive in playing games around the kitchen table. As a family, Kathy enjoyed boating, traveling, hosting Sunday dinner, and supporting her children and grandchildren in all their activities. Kathy was always at every dance recital, sporting event, and piano recital of her kids and grandkids. Rudi and Kathy loved traveling the world making amazing memories with their family. They loved hosting their family at their Bear Lake and St. George homes.

After her kids were older, she worked at Provo High School as the Attendance Secretary. She enjoyed interacting with teenagers and her many co-workers there.

Kathy served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Primary President, Young Women’s President, Stake Young Women’s Counselor, Relief Society teacher, and Nauvoo Temple missionary with Rudi. Their Nauvoo Temple mission was the highlight of their marriage. They made life-long friends while serving and socializing in Nauvoo. She also served as the Service Committee Chair for BYU Women’s Conference. She actively volunteered in her kids’ schools. Kathy was a talented and organized leader and influenced many people’s lives with her skills.

Kathy devoted her life to her family. She loved gathering them together frequently and was the ultimate party planner. Many summer days were spent with the family at their swimming pool. She adored her family and would do anything for them. Kathy was so good at making everyone feel special and loved. She was a social butterfly and had so many good friends. She was never in a shortage for lunch dates, travel companions, swimming ladies, and someone to call and chat with.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Richard (Dickie) and Lynn, and in-laws Wilford Diederich, Anina Diederich, and Claudia Diederich.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Rudi, her four children: Tiffini (Jeff) Taggart, Troy (Kristin) Diederich, Traci Magleby, and Tami Blair, as well as 12 grandchildren: Tieler (Taylor), Ellie (Branden), Joshua (Grace), Ethan, Carson (Megan), Caden, Logan, McCall, Addison, Ainsley, Brody, and Jensen, and two great grandchildren: Jace and Collin. She is also survived by her sister, Rosemary (Steven) Halladay, and brothers Ron (Cindy) and Don (Patty) Thomas and in-laws: Hugo Diederich, Margarete (Kay) Diamond, and Elfriede (Jack) Friend.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 500 South 600 West, Orem, Utah where a viewing will be held prior from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. Graveside services will follow in the Highland City Cemetery, 6200 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah.

Services may be viewed online through YouTube by searching “Kathy Diederich’s Funeral” or through the following direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz03Y0Eg63Y