Kathleen Marie Stephens

Kathleen Marie Stephens was born on March 10, 1951, the firstborn child of Richard and Neva Anderson in Omaha, Nebraska. Kathy grew up as a hard worker on the family farm in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with her younger siblings Karen, Richard, Peggy, and Robert. She went to Abraham Lincoln High School, where she participated in 4H club. After high school, she attended Jenny Edmonds School of Nursing and graduated at the top of her class in 1973. She began her career in nursing at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and around the same time, met her future husband Roger who also worked at the hospital as a Respiratory Therapist (RT). In 1973, she married Roger Stephens at RLDS Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1975, Kathy and Roger had their first child Joshua and moved to the small mountain town of Nederland, Colorado. They had three more children in Colorado, Hillary, Tristan, and Laurel. Kathy loved working and helping others and became a Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN), and later became a Nursing Supervisor for over 25 years. Through most of her career, she worked at several hospitals including Boulder Community Hospital, Avista Adventist Hospital and Lutheran Medical Center. During that time, she was a recipient of the prestigious Nightingale Award, Daisy Award and received many other awards and accolades for excellence in her field. Kathy practiced nursing for over 45 years and earned Master’s Degrees from Regis University’s School of Nursing and the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. She was an active member of the local Nederland community, and town residents came to her for medical advice. She even helped the local Veterinarian at times, as she was an avid pet lover. She always had a variety of pets, most currently her beloved dogs Nora, Walley, April and Kirby, and cats Precious and Isabelle.


After multiple hips, knee and ankle surgeries, Kathy finally retired from nursing in 2017. She took it “easier” and continued her work as a co-owner of Air-o-pure and managed numerous family-owned properties in the mountains that she enjoyed renovating and turning into rental properties. She was a warm hearted, generous, and loving person who loved taking care of her family, her patients, and her community. She loved the mountains and enjoyed watching wildlife, especially the moose family who would frequently visit their home. She enjoyed helping others, reading, gardening, cooking, baking, and canning anything and everything she could grow. She also travelled extensively and loved exploring the U.S., Asia, and Europe, including visiting Ireland and Scotland with her daughter Laurel to explore their roots.


She passed on July 2, 2021 at the age of 70 from a tragic accident. She is survived by her loving husband Roger Stephens; son Joshua Stephens; daughter Hillary Kysar (Kristopher Kysar); son Tristan Stephens; and daughter Laurel Stephens. She is also survived by her sister Karen, brother Richard, sister Peggy and brother Robert, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. ~ 2:00 p.m. at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Funeral Service will follow starting at 2:00 p.m.

Interment Hazel Dell Cemetery following services.