Kathleen Royle Dedrickson passed peacefully from this life in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 26, 2023 at age 86.
Kathleen was born to Homer Freeman and Laura Emily Peay Royle in Lehi, Utah on November 24, 1936. After graduating from American Fork High School, Katheen attended Brigham Young University where she met her eternal companion, Dan Lee Dedrickson. They were married March 14, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple surrounded by family and friends. 
They were blessed with four sons and three daughters and lived in Dayton and Preston, Idaho; San Bernardino, California; and finally, Cedar City, Utah.
Mom worked in tandem with Dad to support their large family keeping an immaculate home and creating an atmosphere of love, service and devotion to family and God. She was the behind-the-scenes manager of Dad’s very busy church schedule and often carried the load of home so he could serve.
Our home was always open to those needing a respite from the world. Family Home Evening, Sunday dinners, and Friday evenings often found their table included friends as well as family. It was a joy to know that Mom and Dad were magnets of goodness and mercy. Mom could ”add more water to the soup” and never turned a soul away. She was thrifty and hard-working and transformed the most meager ingredients into a feast for a king. Mom was passionate about serving those in need and lived the Relief Society motto “Charity Never Faileth”. Whether it was taking dinners to the new mother, cleaning for the move-ins, carpooling neighborhood children to baseball practice or Wednesday primary, she served with her whole heart. She lived her life trying to be and serve as Jesus did.
Mom was an avid reader, a prolific letter writer and generous donor to numerous charity and humanitarian causes. She was a champion of the underdog and a friend of the underprivileged. Mom sang in choirs and musical groups for over 60 years sharing her beautiful alto voice with countless audiences. She loved to play the piano while Dad sang the songs of their sweetheart years.
The scriptures were Mom’s truest friends. She turned to them for strength, wisdom, and knew them as indicated by her well-worn, fully marked copies. Mom shared her love of the Savior as she served as primary president, three times as relief society president, early morning seminary teacher, gospel doctrine instructor, stake relief society counselor, compassionate service leader, family history name extractor and humanitarian service organizer.
Mom and Dad faithfully served 18 months in the Michigan Detroit mission with whom Dad said he had the very best of companions.
Mom lost Dad to cancer far too soon in life and was widowed at age 62. She was blessed to meet and marry Jim Rasmussen with whom she served in the Florida Orlando Mission and St. George Temple as ordinance workers.
Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband, Dan Dedrickson; parents, Homer and Emily Royle; her sisters, Nadine Miller and Jeanette Monson; and her grandsons, Logan Dedrickson and Seth Nottingham.
Kathleen is survived by her sister, Diane Harvey; and her children: Bryan (Brenda), Laura (Neil Harper), Elaine (Bill Schellhous), Steven (Alexandra), Danna (Dana Nottingham), Paul, Mark (Jill); as well as 26 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660. Prior to the services, family and friends may gather at a visitation from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Friday morning, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Spanish Fork City Cemetery, 420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork, Utah.
6 Condolences for Kathleen Royle Dedrickson
Condolences(6)
Dr. Warner Woodworth says
March 29, 2023 at 3:13 amOh, dear Kathleen, we love you. Kaye and I, along with my brother and your cousin Mark in San Francisco, feel your family’s suffering. You were always a smiling relative who served our big family, both the Royle’s of your Dad and the Peay’s of your Mom. I still treasure the memories of family gatherings, the big reunions each summer here in Northern Utah, and lots of fun stories. With Jeanette, Nadine, and now you gone, along with Uncle Homer and Aunt Emily, the crew is smaller. But we’ll meet again in the Great Beyond, OK? Blessings on all your amazing posterity!
Jim Rasmussen says
March 29, 2023 at 10:38 pmWarner, your words were music to my ears; remembering our Kathleen.
One of the blessings of marrying Kathleen was becoming acquainted with her extended family, like you and Kaye. Kathleen was my wife for 23 years, 1 week and 1 day… I will miss her very much. Jim Rasmussen
Vicki says
March 29, 2023 at 10:49 pmWhat a rich and full life you had. Your constant grace, your strength and your service is an inspiration to all. All the people you whose lives you have touched are blessed to have known you. You will be so very missed by so many. A great inspiration to me as your daughter is to me also.
Kevin says
March 31, 2023 at 3:58 pmTo The Family: The Wayne & Geraldine Peay Family sends best wishes and sincere condolences regarding the passing of Kathleen. The Heavenly reunion must be spectacular. What a privilege to know her and feel of her warmth and strength. Much Affection & Love, The Peay’s
Kristy says
April 1, 2023 at 1:42 amWe love Kathleen and will truly miss her. She and Dan were great examples of love and devotion to the Savior. Kathleen was strong and courageous in standing for truth and righteousness. She was also blessed with a great companion after Dan’s passing. Kathleen and Jim Rasmussen were stalwart members who gave Christlike love and service to all those around them. They always made a point to attend numerous important family events. So blessed to have been her friend.
Karen Lisonbee says
April 19, 2023 at 1:55 amDear Dedrickson family – I just want to let you know how much your mom and dad both meant to me. I’m not sure you know who I am – but I know you. Your dad, and Glen Tanner, converted my parents (Milton & Carol Christenson) to the church in California. I was 5 years old and your dad blessed me the same day my parents were baptized. Your parents have always stayed close to my parents and now they are all enjoying eternal peace and joy together. May you always have our Heavenly Fathers arms around you and feel his love. Love to you all – Karen Christenson Lisonbee
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