Jill Jeanine Oltmann

Jill Jeanine Oltmann, age 79, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024 in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was born on September 20, 1944 in Denver, Colorado to Rudolf and Clara Muhvich and was the third and youngest of three girls – older sister Jackie and older sister Judy. She grew up in rural Colorado on the Eastern Plains. Upon graduating high school, she became a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines (TWA).

In 1964 she married Major William Cole McConnell IV and became a military wife. They had two girls, Jodi and Robin, and lived briefly in Fort Dix, Fort Bragg, and Fort Benning before returning to Colorado as Bill began his first tour of Vietnam. Bill, a highly decorated member of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), served two tours in Vietnam before he was killed in action In 1970. 

In 1971, Jill married Larry Alan Nelson, a high school teacher and sports coach (baseball and football) at Arapahoe High School in Littleton, Colorado, and became a step-mother to Bonnie and mother of Larry Junior. Jill worked for many years at Littleton High School as a secretary in the Principal's office. She and Larry were longtime Denver Bronco ticket holders (South Stands…if you know, you know). A perfect fall weekend meant Friday night high school ball, Saturday for CU Buffs and Sundays at Mile High. They enjoyed skiing in the winter, off-road jeeping, summers in Vail and many family camping and fishing trips to Blue Mesa, Yellowstone, and Flaming Gorge. 

In 1985, Jill married Leon Kent Oltmann of LKO Outfitters, which specialized in Colorado wilderness experiences by horseback. By virtue of the marriage, she became a step-mother to his children: Kim, Anne, Janelle, and Brandon. In 1986, Leon returned to education as a high school administrator and superintendent. They relocated to South Dakota briefly, but their shared love of the great outdoors and the Rockies brought them back to Colorado, where they lived in several towns including Parachute, Wray, Meeker and Gunnison. In 1990 they retired to Gunnison. 

Following Leon’s death in 2012, Jill moved to the Grand Junction area and continued her retirement. She found great comfort in her religious activities, her faithful dog Penelope, and many local friends and neighbors. 

Jill passed away peacefully, on March 15, in the midst of a magnificent snow storm in the Rockies. 

Jill is survived by Jodi McConnell (daughter), Justin, Makenzi and Noah (grandchildren) and Charli, Urijah, Everli and Enzo (great grandchildren); Robin and Bob Shallow (daughter), Connor, Tristan, Logan and Zander (grandchildren); Kimberly and Dwain Huckabee (stepdaughter), Bryce and Elizabeth (grandchildren); Anne Rockwell (stepdaughter), Madilynn (granddaughter); Janelle and Jason Wagner (stepdaughter), Trinity, Rilyn and Declan (grandchildren); Brandon and Tricia Oltmann (stepson), Carter and Callen (grandsons); Judy Hedwall (sister), Mark Fallos (nephew), Jimmy Johnson (nephew) and Jeff Pulliam (nephew.)