Kathleen Kindernay

Kathleen Ellen Tapajna Hmurovich Kindernay (76) passed away at home in Westminster, Colorado on August 4, 2025. She was born February 17, 1949 in Whiting, Indiana to William and Carrie (Lowry) Tapajna.
Known affectionately as "Kathy" or "KT" by loved ones, she attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and graduated from George Rogers Clark High School. In 1986, she left Whiting, moving herself and four children to Colorado, always living in the Arvada/Westminster area.
Kathy's professional career included a variety of positions including print model, hair model, beautician, real estate agent, factory laborer, retail sales, retail management, construction office management and construction designer. She was very proud of her contributions to the construction of Denver International Airport.
Kathy was incredibly smart, creative and talented. As a young woman, she was a hairdresser sought after for her perfect beehives and up-dos. She found much joy in sewing, making clothes for her children and grandchildren including a stunning hand beaded prom dress for her daughter. In her later years she loved fancy embroidery and quilting. She always had several projects either in process or in planning stages. She was an avid Facebook user and loved reconnecting with old friends and classmates. Stubbornly opinionated, she was a force to be reckoned with.
Kathy was preceded in death by both parents, and all her beloved siblings Patricia Nielsen, Donald Elledge, and William (Billy) Tapajna Jr..
Kathy is survived by her children: David (Tania) Hmurovich, Candee (Steve) Schriber, Gabriel (Alejandra) Garcia and Michael (Jody) Kindernay. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, two nephews, many cousins and friends.
Kathy's cremains will be interred into the Tapajna family plot at St. John Cemetery in Hammond Indiana in a private service this fall.
In lieu of donations or floral arrangements Kathy's children challenge you to repair a broken relationship, build a bridge, mend a fence, drop a grudge, let go of past hurts or just forgive someone - before it's too late.