It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Katie M. Guss-Bannis, a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, on February 7, 2026. Born on March 7, 1954, in Denver, CO, Katie's infectious laughter and warm spirit filled every room she entered, making the world a brighter place for her 71 years.

Katie was a loving and supportive mother to her sons, Darren and Denrick, and a doting grandmother to Darren Jr. Her love for them was a force, as all-encompassing and constant as the Colorado sunshine. She was also a thoughtful sister, always ready with a kind word or a funny story to lighten the mood. A lover of good food and oldies music, Katie had a knack for turning ordinary moments into treasured memories. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The time is always right to do what is right." Katie embodied this in her daily life, always prioritizing family, love, and laughter.

After retiring from her career in government, Katie took great pleasure in cooking for her family, listening to her favorite oldies tunes, and spending precious time with her grandchildren. Despite her travels, which included residencies in Houston, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida, Katie always called Aurora, Colorado, home. Her love for her hometown was second only to the love she had for her family, a testament to her deep roots and strong bonds.

Katie was preceded in death by her loving parents, Bennie and Aline Guss. She is survived by her devoted sons, Darren Guss and Denrick Bannis, and her cherished grandchildren, Darren Jr., D'shaun, Gabriel, and Bella. Her daughter-in-law, Shivonna Bannis. Katie will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, laughter, and family will live on in the hearts of those she touched.