Kathryn Lee Steppler Hooper Westerberg, 83, passed away on October 3, 2026, surrounded by her family, in Payson, Utah after a brief illness. Kathe was born on February 13, 1943, in Ventura, California to William Albert Steppler and Gladys Mary Hall. She lived in Fillmore, California for the majority of her life, and had only recently relocated with family to Utah.

Kathe graduated from Fillmore High School and was named Miss Fillmore in 1960. She married Fredrick Allan Hooper on August 12, 1962, in Santa Barbara, California. Kathe and Fred had two children, Cory Allan Steppler Hooper and Mary ReJeana Hooper.  A few years after Fred's passing, she married Roger Arthur Westerberg on August 2, 2003, in Fillmore, California.

Kathe held several different jobs through the years; however, she is probably most well-known in Fillmore for working as an office manager at Gene Evans Dentistry.

Kathe adored her two children, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren and loved to be around and spend time with her family and friends. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed creative writing. She was kindhearted and had the most heartfelt and infectious laugh that could make anyone smile. Kathe was an animal lover and some of her favorite dogs included Corky, Tiki Jewel, Chester Drawers, and Mags, while some of her favorite cats were Lumber Kitty, Charlene LaRue, Cloudy Day, Ziva, and Petey.

Kathe is predeceased by her parents, her brother Charles William, sister Marianne, and her first husband Fred.  She is survived by her husband Roger, her sister Susan (Curtis) Adams, her children Cory (Judy) Hooper and Jeana (David) Miller, her grandchildren Amanda (JB) Chapa, Kyle (Tiffany) Hooper, Samantha Hooper, Shelbi (Ryan) Pascual, Kas Miller, Daniel (Kaelee) Williams, and great grandchildren Nicole, Gracie, Ellie, Peyton, Riggins and Reece, her nieces and nephews Kristen (Alan) Pace, Kimberly (Michelle) Adams, Marc (Audra) Beylik, Lori (Mike) Smith, Kathy Bishop, Michael Hooper, Brian (Kim) Hooper, Doug Ward, Tracy Barber Ward and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Kathe is also survived by her lifelong childhood friends, Flo Morgan, Bev Hurst and Faye Stinnett.

Kathe was dearly loved by many, and it was a blessing to have her in our lives. A celebration of her life is planned for Summer 2027 in California.