Kathleen Elda Perkins

Kathleen Elda Perkins passed peacefully from this life to the next in the early morning hours of October 30, 2016. She had battled several health issues for many years, so her passing brings peace and comfort to family and friends who loved her.

Kathleen was born on April 4, 1947 in Olympia, Washington, and moved to Portland, Oregon, when she was a baby. She was a thoughtful and protective sister, who at 10 years old saved her younger sister Cheryl from being hit by a car. She was kind and gentle, and was a great help with her many younger siblings. In her youth, she developed a lifelong love of music, movies, and literature, especially science fiction.

Kathleen graduated from Brigham Young University in 1972, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. She volunteered her time counseling other students at The Gathering Place in Provo, Utah. She spoke fondly of her time in Provo and retained several of the friendships she made there for the rest of her life. She was universally loved by all who knew her.

Kathleen briefly married in 1978. Her greatest joy was her daughter, Eden Perkins Howard, born the following year. After Eden’s birth, the two of them moved to Stockton, California, for 5 years, then on to Wilsonville, Oregon, where they lived until Eden graduated from high school. There she met and befriended many wonderful people who enjoyed being uplifted and taught by her. As Kathleen was raising Eden, she earned her Master’s Degree in library media.

After her daughter graduated from high school, they moved to Pinon, Arizona, where Kathleen applied her love of literature as a school librarian. They lived in Arizona for 3 years before moving to Eureka, California. Her many health problems surfaced during those 2 years, prompting her move to Idaho, so she could be closer to family.

Throughout her life, Kathleen was an inspiration to all who knew her. She overcame many obstacles and endured many challenges, but continued to love and uplift those around her. She never liked to dwell on the negative things in life, but surrounded herself with positivity and laughter. She loved her family fiercely, and enjoyed phone visits, and especially personal visits from relatives and friends. Even as her health was failing toward the end of her life, she focused on others’ needs and feelings, and always had a listening ear and words of comfort and wisdom for anyone in need.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her father, Clair Tracy, her sisters, Lynette, Carol, Susan, and Janet, and her brothers, Brent and Lawrence. She is survived by her mother, Panzy Tracy, her sisters, Yvonne, Cheryl, Nancy, and Sandra, and her brothers, Robert (Chip), Ernest (Alan), Howard, and Ronald, her daughter and son-in-law, Eden and James Howard and their children, Emily, Bailey, Henry, Chloe, and baby due in April 2017. She had a very large extended family, including many siblings-in-law, cousins, and nieces and nephews.

Kathleen had a sure faith in Jesus Christ, and never hesitated to share her testimony with others. She held many volunteer positions in her local wards and branches and many who taught her learned much from her as well. She took great comfort in the knowledge that she will be reunited again someday with those she loved.

Kathleen’s memorial service will be held at 10 am on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at the LDS chapel at 325 Pennsylvania Avenue in Fruitland, Idaho. Her graveside service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, November 4, 2016, at Ucon Memorial Park Cemetery in Ucon, Idaho.