Erin Dawn Bernard

Erin was born in Wheat Ridge Colorado to Clint and Debbie Oplinger on May 30th, 1979. Erin grew up in Arvada, Colorado and graduated from Arvada High School in 1997. She graduated from Metro State in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and attended the University of Northern Colorado completing a Masters of Arts in School Counseling in 2006. Soon after graduating she pursued her passion and became a high school counselor. She was adored and loved by all the students she had over the years. Erin and Dave married in Las Vegas on July 7, 2007 after dating since high school. In 2009 they welcomed their little girl Kailtynn Avery into the world. Erin was so happy that she finally had her little girl. A mini Erin as Dave likes to call her. She has always been so much like her Mother. On July 6th 2012 a day before Dave and Erin's 5th anniversary they were heartbroken with the loss of their son Christopher to a rare developmental disorder. In March of 2013 after a long day of work Erin came home and discovered something that did not feel right. Days later we were hit with the diagnosis of Stage II breast cancer. After all they had been through this was the most devastating. After months and months of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, it was determined that she had beaten cancer. In March of 2014, almost 1 year to the day after the first diagnosis, it was determined that the previous treatment had not worked and cancer was still there. This time stage III. After many more months of chemotherapy, and then as radiation was finishing up, the cancer was back in February of 2015. This time Stage IV. She continued radiation and began another chemotherapy. This treatment did not work and yet another chemo was started. During all this Erin never lost hope. She was determined to beat cancer and win, as nothing in life had beat her yet. On September 23, 2015 Erin passed away peacefully at home, as she had wished. She leaves behind her loving husband David, daughter Kaitlynn, mother and father Clint and Debbie Oplinger, sister Kelli Fisher (Oplinger), Grandmother Mary Stark, and numerous other family and friends whose lives she has touched. She will be dearly missed. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 starting at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. The Funeral Service honoring Erin will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. The Interment will follow the Funeral Service at Arvada Cemetery, 5581 Independence Street, Arvada, Colorado. The family invites you to a reception following the Interment at the Arvada Elks Lodge, 5700 Yukon Street, Arvada, Colorado. Please share your memories of Erin and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.