Olivia Grace Copeland

Olivia Grace Copeland June 24, 1999 – September 20, 2025

Olivia Grace Copeland, beloved daughter, sister, and friend, was born June 24, 1999, in Merriam, Kansas. Olivia entered Heaven on September 20, 2025, at just 26 years old, while leading an outdoor adventure in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Olivia’s life was full of light, courage, and compassion. The eldest daughter of Michael Eber and Maria Renee Copeland, she was a devoted big sister to Abigail Joy and Joshua Michael Eber. She grew up in Olathe, Kansas attending Meadow Lane Elementary School, Prairie Trail Middle School, and graduated from Olathe Northwest High School with a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Certification.

Olivia enjoyed jazz and ballet as a young girl and expressed her joyful spirit through dance and music. Olivia was gifted with a pitch-perfect voice, and her talent often shone in choir performances where she was frequently featured as a soloist. Olivia was a gifted musician, becoming accomplished in the flute, piccolo, alto saxophone, and most recently, the ukulele.

Olivia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Kansas State University, where her nurturing spirit guided her as a mentor, leader, and friend to countless students and peers. Olivia was a brilliant, curious and tender-hearted servant. Her empathy and love for people were evident to all she met, but especially children, elderly and anyone who needed a friend.

A woman of deep faith in Jesus from a young age, Olivia was baptized on July 11, 2010, at College Church of the Nazarene alongside her sister and cousins, and she remained an active member throughout her life. Olivia competed in bible quizzing, attended Nazarene District church camps, and Kanakuk Kamps, where she received the highest honor for camper leadership, the “I’m Third” Award of Excellence.

Olivia’s heart was especially tender toward children, those with special needs, and the disadvantaged, which uniquely equipped her for her later work as a Special Education Therapeutic Para Professional at the S.O.A.R. Program through Olathe Public Schools. Whether volunteering with refugees, tutoring children, or leading outdoor groups, Olivia poured kindness, love, and joy into every life she touched.

At Kansas State University, Olivia distinguished herself as both a leader and a bridge-builder. She made history as the first Caucasian woman to apply for and join the Black Student Union, explaining that she longed to better understand the lived experiences of others as she prepared for her dream of serving abroad as a vocational missionary. This decision reflected her humility, courage, and desire to learn by listening with an open heart.

Her compassion extended into the local community as well. She volunteered faithfully with refugee families, tutoring both children and adults in English, building friendships, and offering encouragement to those beginning new lives in unfamiliar surroundings. Olivia poured her energy into international student life at K-State, participating in KSUnite, the International Coffee Hour, the International Block Party, the KSUnity Conference, and Wildcat Dialogues—programs designed to foster connection and unity across cultures.

Because of her unwavering integrity, servant leadership, and deep care for others, Olivia was honored with the Lasting Legacy Award in 2022, and the university’s highest recognition for graduating seniors, the Kansas State Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. The Dean of Students praised Olivia as a student whose values, character, and leadership personified the very best of K-State. Reflecting on her time there, Olivia said her greatest joy came from “all the people I got to know and interact with, the events we did, the conversations we had, and the love we shared.” Her legacy at K-State—and in every community she touched—is one of love, kindness, unity, and inclusion.

In June of 2023, Olivia moved to Colorado where she found her second home among the mountains and rivers. She became a ski instructor in the winters and an outdoor guide in the summers, leading groups in rafting, hiking and ziplining. She recently began learning to paraglide and thrived in the beauty of creation, and it was there, doing what she loved most, that her earthly journey came to a close.

Olivia is preceded in death by her father, Michael E. Copeland, Grandfather Eber L. Copeland, Grandmother Jo R. Copeland, and her Great Grandmother Beverly M. Norager, and is survived by her mother Maria, her sister Abby, her brother Joshua and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will forever treasure her memory.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 1st at 12:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m., with a private family graveside service to follow. A livestream link to view the service is provided below.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the College Church of the Nazarene Mercy Project https://pushpay.com/g/collegechurchnaz   or the Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund https://www.olatheks.gov/government/city-council/mayor-john-bacon/olathe-mayor-s-children-s-fund

Though Olivia’s time on earth was brief, her radiant spirit endures. She will forever climb the mountains she loved, flow with the rivers she cherished, and live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Please join us in thanksgiving for the amazing young woman God created in Olivia Grace Copeland and the inspiring life she led.

To share a memory of Olivia, or to leave a message for the family, visit the guestbook below.