Katherine Garduque
Oct. 15, 1973 – Dec. 7, 2020
In the early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2020, Katherine (Kat) Garduque passed away. She is survived by her three beautiful children, Kirstin, Devon and Lauren, her mother and father, and her many siblings. Kat was a beloved daughter, a dear sister, a beautiful woman and a devoted mother.
She was born Katherine Elizabeth Hinton on Oct. 15, 1973, in Baltimore, Maryland to Janice Anderson and William Hinton Jr. She grew up with her two siblings William III and Sabin. Kat held a brilliant mind — she played the clarinet and the alto sax. She took Latin and Spanish, and in ninth grade, was already taking advanced university mathematics courses. Kat could have been and done anything, yet she chose to serve her country. She enlisted in the U.S. Army where she served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Germany and South Korea. Katherine earned the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. After rising to the rank of sergeant, Kat, due to health problems brought on through childbirth and a hard military regimen, retired after 10 years of service.
Her service did not end there, however. Kat also served in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, protecting and safeguarding American ideals and values while serving at the border. Always with wit, but with deep contemplation and compassion for those at the border, Kat served with dignity and integrity while she raised three children on her own, her proudest accomplishment. Her final assignment was in Skagway, Alaska. In all, Katherine honorably served her country for 22 years as a soldier and law enforcement officer.
Katherine leaves behind daughter Kirstin, son Devon, and daughter Loren; her mother, Janice; her father, William Jr.; her stepfather, Walter, who raised her; and her brothers and sisters, William III, Sabin, David, Clarissa, Tia and Marquis.
Katherine: Daughter, Sister, Mother, Warrior and Protector.
God has decreed we will not choose the time of our return home. It is how we live our lives that is important, not how we leave this world, even as we must grudgingly acknowledge the brevity of our earthly experience. Katherine now flies to the arms of her Savior, with wings of fire to receive her eternal reward to rest in glory with her Creator.
Funeral services for Katherine were held on Dec. 28, in Lakewood, Colorado, followed by a private burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery, where she received all due honors before she was laid to rest.
Katherine’s mother has requested cards from friends and families to serve as a reminder of the rich life she lived and the many lives she touched. They may be sent to Janice Reed at 12941 W. Florida Drive, Lakewood, CO, 80228.
To share memories of Kat, and condolences with her family, you may also visit her online obituary at HoranCares.com and share on the adjoining tribute wall.
