Louise Marie Weiler Kiteley was born April 1st, 1936, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to Thelma Bridges Weiler and John E. Weiler. She would be the only girl of four siblings (brothers John, Jim, and Wade), which early on inclined her to become a tough tomboy. She always loved to be outdoors, whether pretending to feed chickens in an imagined farm life or running messages to the “front” when playing U.S. Army soldiers with the boys while their father was serving overseas during WWII. The family moved to Austin, Texas, where Louise attended school and enjoyed being a Girl Scout and later (in Colorado) a counselor for Girl Scout summer camps. Her education culminated in a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin, a true pioneer in her field as one of very few female geologists. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Sedimentology from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, where later she would go on to complete a Professional Master’s Degree in Petroleum Reservoir Systems, just short of her intended PHD, in 2016! For many years Louise worked for the US Geological Survey in Lakewood, Colorado, and later as a Consulting Geologist for various oil companies, as well as founding two companies: Tree Top Homes and English Leathers Saddlery. In her personal life, she met John (“Skip”) Kiteley after moving to Colorado from Texas. They were married in 1964 and traveled to Austria to teach skiing. They had two daughters, Janette (Jennie) MacDonald of Denver, and Karin (Pip) Kiteley of Ashland, Oregon. Following divorce when they were still babies, Louise raised her girls (throughout their upbringing, they saw themselves as “The Three Musketeers”), along with Oliver, a miniature, but brave, poodle. She was an avid horse-lover, owning two horses in her adult life: Smoky and Basalt, the latter was like her third child, being her companion for 29 wonderful years. After several years working in Casper and Sheridan, Wyoming, she returned to the Colorado front range to continue well-site consulting, and riding (3-day eventing) her beloved Basalt. Living in rural Longmont, she was also finally able to have real chickens, satisfying her childhood daydreams. In those years, she also became a grandmother to Karin’s two children: Liam and Natalia.
Louise’s love for nature and the outdoors, her passion for geology, and her innate optimism sustained her all her life and continue to inspire her family and friends.
Beautiful Memories of a wonderful beautiful Lady. She really was a successful lady with her family, business, love for horses and stone. So happy that I had the honor of knowing Louise and her beautiful daughter’s. Prayers for her family and friends. Sincerely, Marci
Thank you sweet Marci. You are truly a gem in our world
Louise was a wonderful and intellectually stimulating friend! We met by chance when my neighbor didn’t have room to board Basalt when she moved here from Wyoming.He sent her over to my house and I was able to board Basalt. Out of that miscue came an absolutely wonderful friendship! Just goes to show that some things are simply meant to be! I shall miss her more than I could ever express! Rest In Peace, dear friend!
Dear Nancy you have been such a true and wonderful friend to our mother. Thank you for every little thing through the years.
The whole St.Clair/Kiteley Family grieves Louise’s passing. We all will miss her, her stories and her exuberant nature. I will never forget her chickens, Basault, and the room saved for Skip, who always remained her dear friend. We as a family are lucky she joined us so long ago!
With love and God’s Blessings to you two daughters, Jennie and Karin, and to Natalia and Liam, Julia
Louise, my mother’s middle name, was a ‘modern woman’ in so many ways. She was smart!, as she engaged you in conversation one began aware of her breadth and depth of knowledge and opinions regarding many topics, especially mother-earth. She was a model for both her daughter’s as to enjoying life to its fullest. She kept learning, and was proud of the university degrees she earned. She was a superb equestrian; a true love of her adventuresome life! Did I mention she could be stubborn, direct, to-the-point; a strength of her character, which I enjoyed with Louise. I had the privilege of being with the three women (Musketeers) twice at Jennie and Fred’s home. The love between the 3 women was quite evident. “One for all and all for one” would be the loving theme until the end. I am proud and privileged to know them as a trio.
Bless you dear dear Julia, thank you for these words and thoughts. I am deeply grateful for you in our lives, so very much. Your kind handwritten note that you sent to us will be shared at the celebration, for the vivid story you told in it! ???☀️
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing dear Louise sine the late 1980s when I met my best friend Jennie in college and we were neighbors! Louise was such a kind person she offered to baby sit my children when Jennie and I wanted to catch a movie or something. She was a dear heart. Back then I would call their home looking for Jennie, but I would end up talking to Louise for at least an hour! We enjoyed having her over for family holiday gatherings and my kids grew up knowing her for decades! Louise, you will be missed! Sweet lady rest in peace ? Love, Isabel