Funeral arrangements set for Olivia Copeland, daughter of late Olathe mayor
Funeral arrangements have been set for Olivia Copeland — the eldest daughter of late Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland — who died Saturday after falling from a cliffside climbing course in Colorado.
Olivia Copeland’s funeral will be held at College Church of the Nazarene on Oct. 1, according to her obituary. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m., and a celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m.
A private graveside service will be held for the family following the funeral.
Several law enforcement agencies and paramedics responded just after 3 p.m. Saturday to AVA Rafting and Zipline on a report of a fallen climber.
A preliminary investigation revealed Copeland was leading a group on Mount Blue Sky via Ferrata, a cliffside climbing course that uses “a combination of ladders, rungs, rails, cables, and bridges” to climb the cliff face, according to AVA’s website.
In a news release, police said it appeared Copeland fell during a rappelling portion of the course. Preliminary information suggests her death was accidental.
Copeland’s death is under investigation by several law enforcement agencies. AVA Rafting and Zipline is required to notify OSHA about the incident.
Copeland’s mother, Maria Copeland, posted about her daughter’s funeral arrangements on Facebook.
“As much as we love Olivia, God loves her, us and you even more,” Maria Copeland said. “Our hope is eternal because we know Olivia is in Heaven being held by her Savior and her dad.”
Copeland’s sister, Abby Copeland, remembered her as a kind, empathetic woman “cared for those overlooked,” Abby Copeland said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
“You were my biggest cheerleader, biggest protector, you constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraged me in everything, asked the hard questions, and loved me unconditionally,” Abby Copeland said.
Copeland grew up in Olathe, where she graduated from Olathe Northwest High School, according to her obituary. She attended, and graduated from, Kansas State University, where she studied education.
She moved to Colorado in June 2023, where she became a ski instructor and outdoor guide, according to her obituary. She led groups in rafting, hiking and ziplining, and recently started learning to paraglide.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made to the College Church of the Nazarene Mercy Project or the Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund.
The Star’s Kendrick Calfee contributed reporting.
