It is with deeply saddened hearts that we announce the passing of Sara Kathleen Hill Spencer Reilly Muhlestein, who passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Kathleen was born in Payson on August 18, 1942, as the only child of Clarence and Lenore Sterling Hill. She attended school in Payson and graduated from Payson High School; she later received her degree in Education from BYU. In 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Clark Spencer; they had three children together but later divorced. In 1993, she married her Irishman and eternal companion, Thomas Reilly; their marriage was later solemnized in the Provo Utah Temple, they were able to spend the next 15 years together traveling and making a lifetime of memories. Tom passed away in late 2007. In 2009, Kathleen met and married the last love of her life, Glenn Muhlestein. Glenn was the answer to her lonely heart, they fell in love and continued to travel and enjoy 15 amazing years together including serving an LDS Service Mission at the Heber Valley Girls Camp. Glenn loved and compassionately cared for Kathleen right until the end.

Kathleen enjoyed a 25-year career teaching Kindergarten and Second Grade at Lake Shore and Goshen Elementary Schools. She also spent one year being an exchange teacher at Laie Elementary in Laie, Hawaii. She loved the kids she was trusted to teach. She was a published poet and wrote beautiful poems. She was the life of the party; she liked to have fun and could bring a smile to most anyone’s face that she came in contact with. Kathleen was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, holding many callings but especially enjoying the time she spent teaching Nursery. She was a member of the Junior Cultus, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and a lifelong member (and past president) of the Icelandic Association of Utah. After her retirement, she spent many days volunteering at the Peteetneet Academy Museum. When younger, she was also involved in the American Legion where she was a pro at coercing her kids to peddle poppies on their hike from their home on Cow Lane to the racetrack for the Memorial Day horse races.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and her second husband, Tom. She is survived by her husband, Glenn, and by her three children: Sallie (Guyle) Deuel of Santaquin, Aimee (Kirk) Gamble of Payson, and Craig (Alison) Spencer of Queen Creek, Arizona; her 11 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren and many bonus children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thank you to Canyon Home Health and the Beehive Home for helping to care for her during her recent struggles. A special thank you to Tom, Chelsea, Clark, Kori, Tonya, Edith, Homer, Tori, and Pan.

Kathleen had a great group of friends, most have preceded her in death, but special thanks to Verlyn Jensen who has been an incredible friend and spent many hours over Kathleen’s final years providing support to Kathleen and Glenn.

Kathleen will be missed by many, the world is not a better place without her in it, but she undoubtedly had a great reunion in Heaven being able to reunite with her parents, her eternal companion Tom, and many great friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, located at 274 South Main Street in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Monday evening, June 17, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery.

The funeral service will be streamed live. Please return to this memorial page Tuesday, June 18, 2024, shortly before 11:00 a.m. and click on the link below.

Kathleen Muhlestein Funeral Service