Anita Kathy Kathleen Stephenson Kuper

Anita Kathleen “Kathy” Stephenson Kuper died at the age of 86 in Edmond, Oklahoma on February 10, 2011. She was born on November 11, 1924 in the small oil field town of Lavoy, near Casper, Wyoming, the second child of Thomas Blair and Sadie Mae Wainscott Stephenson. Her family moved often during her childhood as her father worked the oilpatch all over Oklahoma. She graduated from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City in 1942.

After graduation, she worked at Tinker Field until 1946. She met an Iowa sailor stationed in Oklahoma, Morris John Kuper, on a blind date in 1946; they became engaged on her birthday and married on his birthday, December 29, 1946.

She grew up in a faithful Southern Baptist home. After the birth of her oldest son she converted to Roman Catholicism so she and Morris would be of one faith. She always said that she never was asked to take anything away from her faith but only added to it.

In 1968 she returned to employment with the Federal Government, retiring in 1985. After Morris retired from OG&E, they were then free to travel around the US. They enjoyed family gatherings, outings with friends from St. John’s, and going to Las Vegas. Kathy was a “dog” person, and in addition to raising many litters of pups, she loved, and was loved, by her beloved pets.

Kathleen was proud of her four sons and their families: son Stephen and wife Trish, grandchildren Kristie Deitz, Michelle, Claire, Cecelia and John Kuper, and great-grandchildren Shawnlyn and Ashley Deitz; her son Morris John, Jr. and wife Cheryl; her son Scott and wife Donna and granddaughter Ariel Lamontagne; and her son Thomas and wife Beth, and grandchildren Caroline, Ford and Lara Kuper.

She is also survived by her sister Janet Kay Hume sister-in-law Jackie Stephenson; sister-in-law Shirley Fennel, brother-in-law Marvin Meitz, many beloved cousins, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kathleen’s beloved husband of 63 years, Morris, preceded her to heaven on September 8, 2010. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her older brother Bill Stephenson, her brother-in-law Walter Hume, nephew Jimmy Hume, and Morris’s siblings Harold and Jean.

Kathleen was a strong woman, loyal to her friends and her family, devout in her faith, and absolutely devoted to her husband. Knowing they are reunited in heaven brings great consolation to her family and friends. We know her feet are no longer cold! Grateful thanks are extended to the staff at Grace Living Center and Mercy Hospice for their care of both Morris and Kathy in their last years.

A Wake service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 7PM on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. The Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of her life will be at 10AM on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 9th and Littler in Edmond, OK. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.