Kathleen Stapleton

Kathleen Louise Stapleton, 91, of Lakewood, Colorado passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024, after living a full and happy life.

Kathleen was born on July 25, 1933, to Lydia and Albert Hann in Madison, Wisconsin. She has joined her parents in Heaven along with her husband, John Stapleton, her daughter Sue Ann Stapleton, and her brother, Robert Hann. 

She is survived by her 3 sons, Steve, Scott, and Pat Stapleton and their families and her daughter, Sheryl Prentice and her family. Along with her brother, Albert Hann and his family, Sister-in-laws, Mary Kay Zawaski and Sheryl Stapleton and their families and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

After graduating with an Associate's Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Kathleen’s favorite and most prominent job was becoming a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. During that time, she met her future husband John Richard Stapleton. They married in 1960 in Madison, Wisconsin and then moved to Chicago, Illinois because of John’s career with Motorola. They went on to have 5 children within 7 years. In 1970, they moved to Lakewood, Colorado where they resided for the rest of their years.

While the kids were growing up, Kathleen’s affinity for older people always tugged at her. She introduced a program to RTD, a local bussing company, to help senior citizens get picked up by the bus and take them to local events such as plays, museums, and sporting events. She was beyond successful at this program and received many awards and acknowledgments for helping with such an important need for the community. During this time, she also ran for City Counsel for Lakewood and won in 1987. There she served for 12 years, successfully helping the City of Lakewood grow successfully and become more beautiful.

Kathleen was most proud of her family. Thanks to her and John, their family grew into 22 various family members. She also had a healthy amount of friends who she loved dearly, as well. Her favorite thing to do was to go to lunch or Happy Hour on Saturdays with them at 240 Union; her absolute FAVORITE restaurant, where she was treated like royalty because of her kind and welcoming way with all people. Kathleen always had time for a conversation with anyone. Kathleen loved her life and NEVER stopped living until her last day December 6, 2024.

Her services will be on Saturday, December 28th at 12 noon at Atonement Lutheran Church at 6281 W. Yale Ave, Lakewood, CO 80227. In Lieu of flowers, Kathleen requested donations be made to Atonement Lutheran Church in Lakewood. The Stapleton family is so proud of Kathleen for living her life with grace, independence, and joy.