Feb. 9, 1948 — July 19, 2024
Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Kathleen Covington Tobler passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family July 19, 2024 as the result of complications from cancer.
Kathy was born February 9, 1948 in Cedar City to Delbert Ross Covington and Cleora LeBaron Covington.
Kathy spent her childhood in Hurricane raised by righteous parents who modeled good values and a strong work ethic. She was the second of seven children and shared a close, loving bond with her siblings.
She was blessed to grow up near her extended family and remained connected to several of her cousins throughout her life. She was a graduate of Hurricane High school where she enjoyed singing at school functions and rooting for the Tigers as a cheerleader. One particular athlete captured her attention was Rex Tobler.
They began dating when she was a sophomore, pausing their courtship for two years while Rex served an LDS mission to Texas. During that time, Kathy attended Dixie college where she earned an associates degree. She loved her time at Dixie and shared fond memories of participating in theater and the homecoming queen pageant.
Rex and Kathy were married November 27, 1968 in the St. George LDS temple. They were blessed with six children; Rachelle, Christy, Hilary, Carie, Cicely and Matthew. Education and early career took their family to Chicago, then Phoenix before settling in St. George.
Kathy was passionate about learning and teaching-a combination that led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Utah University and later received a master’s degree. She was a dedicated student and was very proud of her straight A report card.
She used her talents teaching children in Montessori pre-school, then kindergarten, teaching elementary for a total of 13 years. She taught at both Santa Clara Elementary and Bloomington Elementary, but her favorite teaching assignment was “Grammy-garten” for two of her kindergarten-aged granddaughters during COVID-19.
Kathy was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She applied her love of learning to the gospel and was a diligent student of the scriptures. She served in many capacities within the church, including a mission with her husband to Mexico City.
She was a natural nursery leader and had an innate ability to make even the tiniest person feel loved. She often said she considered Primary Chorister to be her favorite calling and she had a true gift for inviting the spirit through music.
Kathy was creative and used her artistic skills to bless her family and those around her. She was a master seamstress, baker, singer and pianist. She loved to travel and she and Rex had the opportunity to explore much of the world together. The novelties she collected during her travels were among some of her most treasured possessions.
She was a wonderful friend and cherished the life-long relationships she created during the years they spent in Chicago, Phoenix and Southern Utah, as well as those she gained through her church service and in support of her children’s activities. Kathy’s love for her family was her number one priority.
She considered her role as wife and mother to be her single most important calling and accomplishment. She was our most enthusiastic cheerleader and her love and support were endless.
She is survived by her sweetheart of 55 years, Rex, daughters Rachelle (Matt) Staheli, Christy (Justin) Jenkins, Carie (Chris) Homer, Cicely (Adam) Stuart and son Matthew (Annie) as well as 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, siblings Marsha (Gary) Wells, Kelly (Margene) Covington, David (Parlena) Covington, Vance (Connie) Covington, Lonnie (Sue) Covington and Susan (Brent) Lamoreaux.
She was preceded in death by her parents Delbert and Cleora Covington and daughter Hilary. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 9 a.m. with funeral Services to follow at 11 a.m. in the Manzanita LDS Church, 3519 Manzanita Road, St. George, Utah.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.