Kathleen Louise Oviatt

of Aurora, Colorado, died on Thursday, August 15, 2019
at the Denver Hospice Care Center at the age of 69

Kathleen Louise (O’Reilly) Oviatt was born September 19, 1949 in Pierre, South Dakota, the oldest of five children born to Loren and Maxine (Thorson) O’Reilly. She grew up in Murdo, South Dakota and graduated from Murdo High School in 1967. She went on to graduate from South Dakota State University in 1971 then taught school in Lyman County and at Perpetual Help Elementary School in Rapid City before marrying the love of her life, Roger Oviatt, on January 7th, 1975.

They lived in Brookings, South Dakota for one year, then in Minneapolis, Minnesota for two years before moving to Denver in 1978. She worked at National College and Auto-Trol Technology Corporation then earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Denver. In 1981, she started Oviatt Office Services and served a variety of clients for 15 years before going to work for Advanced Systems Engineering. That company was purchased by CIBER, Inc. then by CRGT, Inc. She retired in 2015 after 21+ years of service.

Kathy was active in various ministries at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Aurora. She loved traveling and was proud of the fact that she visited all 50 states, as well as Ireland, Scotland, Poland, Italy, Canada and Mexico. She loved hiking the trails in Colorado including 4 “fourteeners” and 23+ years of hikes with her hiking group “the Babes.” All her life she participated in sports, including varsity basketball, volleyball and softball at SDSU. Later in life, golf became one of her passions. More than anything, Kathy treasured her family and spent as much time as possible with her siblings and their families.

She is survived by three sisters, JoAnne Lobdell of Pierre, SD; Patty (Craig) Sanderson of Sturgis, SD; Susan (George) Raikas of Monument, CO; one brother, Brian O’Reilly of Murdo, SD and his special friend Deb Willert, three nephews, Rob Gull of Pierre, SD; Ryan (Becky) Sanderson of Thornton, CO; Cody (Kelly) Sanderson of Sturgis, SD; one niece, Kristin (Ivan) Taylor of Oklahoma City, OK; one great nephew, Thorson Taylor; and two great nieces, Emma and Olivia Sanderson. Her friends were very special to her and she made every attempt to see them as often as possible.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Oviatt, her parents, Loren and Maxine O’Reilly, and one brother-in-law, Ed Lobdell.

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, August 19th, at St. Simeon Cemetery Chapel, 22001 E. Highway 30, Aurora, CO 80018.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, August 20th, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 19099 E. Floyd Ave., Aurora, CO 80013.

Interment will be held at 10:30 A.M. MDT on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Memorials are being directed to St. Michael the Archangel Church, http://stmichael-aurora.org/, and the South Dakota Jones County Community Foundation, https://sdcommunityfoundation.org/csa/first-fidelity-bank-26-jones-county-community-foundation/about-us/.

Service Details

VISITATION
Monday, August 19, 2019 - 6-8 p.m.
Rosary service starting at 7 p.m.
Simeon Cemetery Chapel
Aurora, Colorado

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - 10:30 a.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
Aurora, Colorado

INTERMENT
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - 10:30 a.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

Guest Book

This is such sad news. KO and I taught at Lyman High together and have always stayed in touch. I am so sorry about this. I would be at BH National Cemetery tomorrow as she meant a great deal to me but I have a Dr. apt. in Rapid at 10. It was not long ago that we spent several hours on our deck talking old times. She was such a great person and a good friend. I am so sorry. My thoughts are with all of your.
   ~ John Culberson Custer, SD (8/21/2019)
So sorry to read of Kathy's passing. She was such a sweet person and always took time to visit when we would see her in Murdo. Sympathy to the O'Reilly families
   ~ Kerri Venard Murdo (8/20/2019)
Kathy was a beautiful, caring, and genuine soul. I am honored that I was able to know her for about 10 years. Kathy's smile and extreme kindness will remembered and held in the highest esteem.
   ~ Eric Rysner Highlands Ranch, CO (8/21/2019)
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
   ~ Jeff and Emily Sanderson 10492 Wimbledon Ct. (8/22/2019)
As one of Patty's friends throughout grade school and high school, I'm sure we were a trial to Kathy as the eldest sibling, but I don't remember her being cranky or cross with us. I do remember her smile, and my heart goes out to Patty and all of Kathy's family in this time of loss and grief.
   ~ Marrion Newsam Banks Athol, ID (8/22/2019)