Kathryn Fern Jeppson Mercer Obituary (1929

Kathryn Fern Jeppson McAfee Mercer died January 24, 2017 surrounded by loving and caring family at her home at the age of 87. She was born January 29, 1929 to Charles and Katie Borget Jeppson in American Fork. She has lived in Utah County all her life, attended grade school in Provo and Lincoln High in Orem. Her growing up & married years were spent in Edgemont in Provo. She married Henry Archie McAfee on Oct. 7, 1950 in Salt Lake City and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Fern was married for 21 years when her husband (Mac as he was called) was killed in an industrial accident at Geneva Steel in Orem. Her husband had served in the Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor when it was bombed during the war on Dec. 7, 1941; he survived. Ironically he was killed Dec. 7, 1971, 30 years later. He left behind his now, widow, Fern and 3 children without a father. Fern experienced a second tragedy in her life when her only son Steven, age 46, died of a heart attack. She has had her share of sorrows and also beautiful times. It is especially hard to lose a child. Fern later married Kay Lloyd Mercer in 1974; he passed away July 18, 2012. Fern and Kay loved camping and boating with their combined family and friends. Kay’s family has always been accepting and loving to Fern. When most of Kay’s grandchildren were born, Fern was the only grandmother they ever knew and they loved her. She loved and enjoyed them as much as her own children. Fern was close to her sisters and brothers and enjoyed getting together on camping trips, playing board games and picnics. She loved to travel, she never really got into driving but when Kay and she would travel in their camper or car, she took the opportunity to drive; mainly just on the long stretches of roads with not a lot of traffic. They also traveled to other countries to bring home their 2 missionaries and taking advantage to visit other parts of the world. She was active in her church and held a variety of positions as well as singing in the choir for a time. She had many friends that she had kept in contact with for years and would get together often. Fern worked for many years at Barbizon before and after she married. She later worked at Timpview High School in the lunch room for several years and enjoyed her time there with the people she associated with. She made friends wherever she went. She was a member of Orem Women’s Club for years and enjoyed the women’s friendship. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Vicky (Michael) Clay, Provo and Brenda McAfee, Bellingham, Washington; granddaughter, Kira McAfee; 3 sisters and 1 brother: Joyce Gillman, Orem, Shirley Harris, Provo, Charlotte (Larry) Coleman, Santaquin, and Theron Jeppson, Co. Springs, CO. She was preceded in death by her son, Steven; two husbands; brother, Eldon Glade Jeppson; mother, Katie Ilene Cluff and father, Charles Jeppson. The family would like to thank all of Fern’s friends and ward members and that have been so kind in visiting and helping her in the past weeks, she appreciated it so much. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Monday, January 30, 2017 at the Edgemont 2nd Ward Chapel, 555 East 3230 North, Provo, Utah. Viewing will be held at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Sunday, January 29, from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Monday, from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be at Eastlawn Memorial Hills, Provo. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.