Katie Roeland
Obituaries
Vail Daily - December 2, 1995
Friends, community mourn death of Eagle-Vail teen-ager
Tears flowed freely as shocked and saddened Battle Mountain High School students mourned the loss of classmate Katie Roeland, whose body was recovered Thursday morning in Eagle-Vail. She was 16.
A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Dan Rohlwing, is set for 4 p.m. Monday in the BMHS auditorium.
The BMHS junior was a star athlete on both the volleyball and basketball courts and in track, but was sidelined this fall when she injured her knee during the first volleyball game of the season. Katie was a member of the Interact Club, participated in school drama productions, served as junior class representative to the student council and was on the prom committee.
"She was so bright and a phenomenal athlete," said BMHS teacher Pat Phelan, who coached Roeland in track. "She was always laughing and joking and would have a quick quip for me whenever she saw me in the hall."
A high-energy and fun-loving person, Katie also had a warm, caring, sensitive and serious side, Phelan added. She had incredible dreams and pushed herself to achieve those.
Students and teachers alike said they felt as if they were losing a part of their own family. Katie had friends among a diverse group of students and was an important part of many lives. She was so full of life that her loss will leave an overwhelming void. Her infectious smile and fun-loving attitude will be sorely missed.
"She touched so many people with her bubbly personality," said classmate Julie Dewire, who played volleyball and ran track with Katie. "She always knew how to push us to our best. Everyone put out an extra 10 percent because she was there."
Electric was how volleyball coach Liz Kitzmann described the dynamic student.
"Katie made everything bigger, better, louder, faster and funnier," said Kitzmann, who shared a unique nonverbal language with Katie. "We shared looks and laughs. Our eyes would meet and we knew what each other was thinking. She was a multidimensional person and I'll really miss her."
Born June 12, 1979, in Glenwood Springs, Katie spent most of her life in the Eagle Valley, attending Red Sandstone Elementary, Minturn Middle School and BMHS.
She is survived by her parents, Debbie and John, and a brother, Eric, of Eagle-Vail; grandparents Clarence and Betty Roeland and John and Margaret Sherman; aunts and uncles Bruce and Claudia Roeland, Dennis Riggs and Sandi and Ken Waggoner; cousins Brittny Roeland, Kevin Riggs and Jason, Shannon and Ryan Waggoner, all from California.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, and although investigators do not suspect foul play an investigation is continuing. Holt-Farnham Mortuary in Glenwood Springs is handling the cremation arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Katie Roeland's name to a scholarship fund set up by Signature Vail Road, Vail, CO Homes. Donations made out to that fund may be taken to any FirstBank location or sent to FirstBank of Vail, 17 Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657. For more information call Jean French at 926-4329.
