Katherine Davidson Wiberg

Katherine Davidson Wiberg (""Katie"") of Denver passed away at Rose Medical Center on Saturday, October 9, 2010, due to respiratory complications. She was 69. Born in Los Angeles , CA , to William O. Davidson and Leila Withers Davidson, Katie grew up in Long Beach , CA , with her sisters Sarah and Susan, who have both preceded her in death. A graduate of Wilson High School in Long Beach , Katie attended Stanford University and graduated with the Class of 1963. In 1962, she met her future husband, Larry Wiberg of Denver , at a toga event at which they danced The Twist until the wee hours. Two years later, they married in a garden ceremony at her aunt and uncle's lemon ranch in Ventura , CA . Soon after Larry completed his medical education at Stanford, they settled in Denver , where they raised three children, Greg, Curt and Susie. A witty, devoted and creative homemaker, Katie was an avid indoor and outdoor gardener, and an inspired cook known for her dinners served ""on California time"". For many years she volunteered with the Denver Botanic Gardens Guild, serving for a time as its president, where she merged these skills in cultivating herbs and pressing crates of their well-regarded vinegars. At their home in east Denver over almost four decades, Katie nurtured dozens of rose bushes, annually robust vegetable gardens, a begonia gazebo, and a collection of greenhouse orchids. A lover of nature, Katie revered both Colorado 's dramatic climate as well as the gentle sea breezes of her native Southern California . Her passion for literature, history and world cultures fired trips to Mexico , Europe, Southern Africa and New Zealand . And in her enthusiasm for sports, she attended more Broncos games than she would care to admit. Surviving Katie is her devoted husband of 46 years, Dr. J. Lawrence Wiberg of Denver, their three grateful children, Greg of Berkeley, CA, Curt of Parker, CO and Susie of Denver, two beloved daughters-in-law, Dr. Mary Wildermuth of Berkeley and Karen Stinson Wiberg of Parker, two loving granddaughters, Maggie of Parker and Naledi of Berkeley, and dearly held extended family and friends. Services will be held at St. John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington St., Denver, CO, on Saturday, October 16, at 3 p.m. Donations to the Denver Botanic Gardens and the American Cancer Society would be welcomed.