Elaine Kappen

    Katie Elaine Kappen, beloved wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt and friend was relieved from her long struggle with cancer on April 25, 2015. Elaine showed amazing strength, patience, dignity, grace, and compassion as she went thru unimaginably difficult trials. We are so grateful to her for the excellent example she set for us.
    Elaine was born September 16, 1939 to Samuel Henry Jenkins and Sephronia Connell Jenkins in Bluebell, Utah. She married Franklin Theodore “Ted” Kappen and they were sealed in the Logan temple September 17, 1971. They have a son, Kevin Theodore, and two daughters, Kimberly Elaine and Tamra Lee.
    Elaine worked early in life doing secretarial work for a bank, and later for the government at the Ogden Depot. But her true calling in life was as wife and mother. She worked tirelessly helping her husband Ted with their two businesses, doing the book keeping and numerous other tasks involved in running a business. She also focused her life on her children and grandchildren, teaching them the importance of getting an education and being of service to others and filling church callings. She taught these by example serving faithfully in many callings throughout her life, including Relief Society President, Primary President, temple ordinance worker and her favorite calling, Primary teacher. She gave of her time and talents freely to neighbors and especially to family. She was a wonderful mother, but she somehow was an even more wonderful grandma. She loved us all and loved to brag on all of our accomplishments.
    Elaine was a hard worker her whole life. Even as a young girl on the farm, she loved to be out helping her daddy planting, harvesting, or milking the cows. She kept a garden every year and our family greatly appreciates the loving help of good neighbors who helped her with that in later years. She loved canning and our family especially loves her sweet pickle relish. She took a lot of pleasure in filling her storage shelves with each year’s harvest.
    Elaine brought out the best in those around her because she saw the good in everyone. She always brightened a room and was often humming, singing, or whistling. Her cheerfulness was infectious. She loved the Lord and felt His love. The resulting joy was evident to all those who knew her.
    Elaine is survived by children, Kevin (Barbara) Kappen, Kim (Scott Torson) Kappen, and Tamra Kappen; grandchildren, Brad, Kyle, Jason, and Kayden; brother Howard (Fontella) Jenkins and sister Hazel King, and many extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted  Kappen, parents, Samuel and Sephronia Jenkins and her parents-in law, Robert and Estella Ames Kappen; siblings, Henry “Hank” (Gretel) Jenkins, Herbert C. Jenkins, Ruby (Otis “Buck”) Buckaloo, Marie (Arnold) Hamaker, Joseph E. (Juanita) (Viola) Jenkins, Glen (Raebell) Jenkins, and brother-in law Kenneth King.
    The family wishes to express gratitude to all of the community and family for the countless acts of service, love, and support for Elaine. We wish to extend special thanks to her brother Howard Jenkins, her nephew Gary Jenkins, and her “adopted” family Ben, Sherry, Nikole, Kaelie, Karissa, and Kortnie Lemmon.
    Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Altamont LDS Stake Center.  Viewings will be held on Thursday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. and Friday 1 hour prior to the service.
    Burial in the Bluebell Cemetery.
    Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com