Kathryn Sue Hero

Kathryn S. Hero, a vibrant spirit known for her infectious laugh and warm generosity, passed away on June 23, 2025, at her daughter's home, after a brief and difficult three-month battle with bile duct cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Born Kathryn Sween on October 21, 1947, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Kathy moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, at age six. Though she spent most of her life in Colorado, she proudly claimed her roots in Bode, Iowa, and carried an unmatched love for sweet corn. Family was incredibly important to Kathy; the Sween Sisters were a singing sensation in Colorado Springs, and her deep connections with her extended family profoundly impacted and enriched her life. As the second of four daughters, Kathy followed her mother's path to become a Registered Nurse. Her diverse career spanned hospital, public health, and school nursing, culminating in her work as a nurse case manager, even owning her own company.

For 43 years, Kathy shared a loving marriage with her husband, Rodney. Their journey took them across the country, from Boulder, Colorado, to South Bend, Indiana; Berkeley, California; and Phoenix, Arizona, before they settled in Denver in her final three years. Along the way, Kathy effortlessly forged deep friendships.

She embraced life with immense joy, cherishing her three children, four grandchildren, and her travels with Rodney. She was a fiercely protective "momma bear" and a doting grandmother. Her boisterous laughter and love for a mischievous joke brightened every gathering. Kathy radiated love, and was known for her strong opinions, freely shared, and her ability to draw people in with her welcoming spirit and wide smile. She never met a stranger.

A lover of good food, dinner parties, theater, and music, Kathy was truly one of a kind. Her absence leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew her.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Rodney Hero. She leaves behind her son & daughter from her first marriage, Christopher Eden (Kathryn), and their children, Charlotte and Brooks; her daughter, Jennifer Eden (Jeff); and her daughter from her marriage to Rodney, Lindsay Hero (Matt), and their children, Scarlett and Grey. She is also survived by her sisters, Susan (Bruce) Harmon and Carol Sween. Kathy was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Erma and Kenneth Sween and eldest sister, Anita Stubblebine.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her honor to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Here.