Kevin Oltjenbruns

     After an extended illness that Kevin Ann Oltjenbruns faced with courage and dignity, she died on Nov. 1, 2018, at age 69, with her loving husband Ken at her side.
    Born in Denver on Aug. 9, 1949, to Lawrence M. and Mary Jane Henry, Kevin was the second of five children. Growing up in a household that valued leadership, service and compassion, she exemplified these traits throughout her life. Kevin grew up in Denver’s Park Hill area where she attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Machebeuf High School, developing deep lifelong friendships.
    She attended Colorado State University as a Boettcher Scholar and held many campus leadership positions as a student. At CSU, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in child development and family relationships. Later, Kevin received a Ph.D. in educational and psychological studies from the University of Colorado in Boulder.
    During her years at CSU, she was blessed by marrying her best friend, Ken Oltjenbruns, on March 15, 1975. They shared many wonderful years together and always gave each other unconditional love and support in pursuing their passions.
    Kevin spent her entire career, spanning over 30 years, at CSU as a faculty member, an adviser and an administrator. In her roles as a professor in human development and family studies, associate dean of applied human sciences and vice provost of undergraduate studies, Kevin always placed integrity and concern for students above all else. Her many former students continue to benefit from the impact she had on their lives and careers.
    Due to her exceptional and versatile leadership skills, Kevin was often asked to assume interim department head positions at critical transition periods, including units such as communication disorders, construction management, design and merchandising, and education.
    Kevin’s accomplishments were recognized with numerous honors and awards, including the all-university Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Pennock Award for Outstanding Service.
    As a lifelong learner herself, Kevin was instrumental in bringing the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to the CSU campus. After co-writing the grant application, the institute was provided grant monies in 2006 and has been offering classes since.
    Kevin’s impactful service extended into the Fort Collins community as well. Over 40 years ago, she was involved in launching the organization that is now Pathways Hospice, one of the first hospices in the country. As CSU faculty, she developed the first course on campus with a focus on grief and loss and taught many students who are now professionals in the field. She also co-authored two editions of a textbook on dying and grieving used at colleges and universities across the United States.
    Kevin is survived by the family she loved so dearly: her husband, Ken, and his parents, Milton and Leona Oltjenbruns; siblings, Michael Henry, Christine Harlan and Mark, Kelly Henry and Laurel, Mary Williams and David, Cheryl Schutz and Dave, and Nolan Oltjenbruns and Don; nieces and nephews, Jennifer Henry, Christian Henry, Luke Henry, Ryan Henry and Erin, Graham Henry, Keegan Henry, Suzanne Harlan Heyd and Andrew, Daniel Harlan, Sarah Harlan, and David Schutz and Margaret; and great-nephew, Colten Henry.
    One of Kevin’s greatest joys was giving to others and spending time with family and friends. With her indomitable spirit and natural enthusiasm, she enjoyed every moment of life and enriched the lives of all who knew her. She had the knack of making every person feel special as she cheered them on.
    Kevin loved Colorado and its mountains, wearing bright colors, enjoying and sharing flowers, bringing people together, letting people know she loved them, and eating chocolate.
    You can honor her by thinking of her sometimes when you are doing those things and by supporting her passions by contributing to any of the following: Pathways Hospice, www.pathways-care.org or Pathways Memorial Donations, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525; Oltjenbruns’ Tuition Assistance for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU (59023); or Human Development and Family Studies Undergraduate Student Scholarship Endowment (18285).
    Donations can be made to either of the CSU funds by going to www.advancing.colo state.edu/GIVE and searching by the five-digit fund number or by mailing a check to University Advancement, Colorado State University, 202 Administration Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-7117.
    In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the options listed above.
    A celebration of Kevin’s precious and amazing life will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Lory Student Center Ballroom at CSU in Fort Collins.
    Allnut Funeral Service of Fort Collins has been entrusted with the arrangements.