Katherine Marie Lesa Cripps Obituary (1948

Katherine Marie Lesa Cripps returned to our Heavenly Father at the age of 68 on January 16, 2017 at 5 a.m. in the Utah Valley Hospital, Provo, Utah. In the early hours of Monday, January 16, she had trouble breathing and her heart stopped various times as they were trying to revive her. They took her to Utah Valley Hospital where she passed away. Kathy was born February 29, 1948 in Inglewood, California to Helen Saline Speed and Thomas Lesa. At 7 years of age, she was abandoned on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. She survived on her own for many years-sometimes staying with strangers for short periods of time. She had many learning disabilities – not knowing how to read or write because she did not have the opportunity to attend any schooling. Through all of these trials she stayed sweet and kind to everyone she met. In 1989, at the age of 41, a miracle of God took place. She met the Turner/Merrill families in Palos Verdes, CA. They saw the good in her and she became one of the family. She was hired to stay with Reeta and Glenn Turner in their old age so they could remain in their own home. Their three daughters, Suzanne T. Merrill, Bonnie T. Payne and Sharon T. Stucki all lived within a few blocks. They took them to run errands, to the doctor, special family gatherings and church meetings. They invited the missionaries to teach Kathy the gospel and she immediately wanted to be baptized. She knew the church was true and was so happy knowing the gospel of Jesus Christ was true. She felt so blessed to be a member of the church. Suzanne’s mother said, “Suzanne, when you and Steve move to Utah, promise me to take Kathy with you or she will go back to the streets.” After she died, the Merrills, Suzanne’s father and Kathy moved to Provo, Utah. After Brother Turner died, Kathy continued to live with them, planning to move to a new home in Lindon, Utah. They moved there in 1997. In 1996, on a Book of Mormon Church Tour, paid for by an anonymous friend, she met David Bruce Cripps. They were married February 20, 1997. He worked at BYU in Food Services for 30 years. For many years she was employed by Wal-Mart in Lindon. After 15 years of marriage, he became ill & went to an assisted living facility where he died. Kathy returned to living with the Merrill’s where she remained until her own passing. Kathy is survived by her family, Suzanne and Steven Merrill, Shauna and Jeff, Merrilee and Peter, Mindy and Steve, Trisha and Wayne (deceased), and all of their children, cousins and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Lindon 12th Ward Chapel, 325 Canal Drive (300 North 500 East), Lindon, Utah. Friends may call from 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment at Lindon City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.