Katharine Gillen

Katharine "Kathy" Gillen, age 87 of Fort Collins, CO, died peacefully November 13, 2010 at her home. Funeral rites for Katharine will include visitation beginning at 5:00 PM Tuesday, November 23, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 300 West Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, followed by a Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 7:00 PM. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Wednesday, November 24, at St. Joseph Church followed by Interment at Grandview Cemetery, Fort Collins. Katharine Marie Hauger was born December 18, 1922 in Kimball, SD, to Henry and Mary Frances Hauger. She graduated from Yankton High School in Yankton, SD, in 1939. While working at Novotny Florists in Yankton, Katharine met Marcel Novotny whom she married in 1943. In 1945 Marcel was killed in action during WWII. In 1946 she moved to Greeley, CO, and worked in the Hauger family's corner grocery store. Early in 1948, a mutual friend introduced Katharine to Vernon Gillen whom she married later that year. She and Vernon opened a public accounting practice in Greeley after their wedding. In 1981 Katharine moved to Fort Collins, CO, where she worked as a rectory cook at St. Joseph's and then in bookkeeping until her retirement in 2001. Kathy was a devout Catholic whose life was grounded in living her Faith. She engaged in numerous activities at both St. Peter Catholic Church in Greeley and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Collins. As a member of the Altar and Rosary Society she enjoyed hosting wedding receptions at St. Peter's and helping with the annual bazaars at both parishes. She has also been a prayer buddy for several First Holy Communion children; an RCIA sponsor; and a Eucharistic Minister to home bound parishioners. Kathy participated in many social events at church, as well. She loved and enjoyed her family and friends tremendously. She maintained a life-long pen pal relationship with a friend in England, beginning during her early years while attending a country schoolhouse. Kathy played cards; was in a quilting circle for more than 25 years; enjoyed gardening; played scrabble; and participated in various dinner groups. She was a wonderful cook and a gracious hostess. In addition to Vernon, Kathy was preceded in death by infant daughter, Ruth Ann, and three siblings, Mary Frances, Leo and Linus Hauger. She is survived by her son, Dennis Gillen of Merced, CA; two daughters, Mary Lou (Warren E., Sr.) Lybarger of Fort Collins and Joanne (Doug) of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, John (Suzie) Gillen, Stephen (Kris) Gillen, Joan Marie (Walter) Maitoza, Warren E., Jr. (Cherise) Lybarger; Ryan (Breanne) Hause, Kristin (David) Bova, Kevin Hause and Amy Hause; eight great-grandchildren, Blake and Morgan Maitoza, Glenn and Kevin Gillen, Warren E. Lybarger, III, Alessandra Bova, Parker and Cadence Hause; a sister, Doris Sees of Irene, SD; two brothers, Robert Hauger of Irene, SD, and Joe Hauger of Nashville, TN, and numerous sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. The family requests that any memorial donations please be made to Pathways Hospice of Larimer County or St Jude's Research Hospital.