Katy Janelle Millard

Katy Janelle Millard, our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026, with her family and devoted dog, Gunner, at her side.

Born on April 30, 1980, in Independence, Missouri, Katy moved through life with fierce independence, a sharp wit, and a curious mind. She danced her way through her early years, and gained her lifelong best friend, Patience.

Her love of travel started early, with a high school exchange trip to Japan. A graduate of Truman High School, she was a true lifelong learner who earned her associate degree and always seemed to be finishing a new college course. Katy earned numerous certifications in cloud computing, IT support, project delivery, and IT service management.

Katy was a planner at heart, always curating her next big move. Whether she was traveling with her parents to Texas in their RV, setting sail on a family cruise with her aunts and uncles, or exploring Washington D.C. with her sister, niece, and nephew, she loved making memories with the people she cherished. She was the biggest fan and cheerleader of all her nieces and nephews, attending band and orchestra concerts, enjoying theater performances, watching basketball, and judging debate contests.

Katy enjoyed trips to the boats with her parents, and especially loved her recent trip to Vegas. Katy was a master of the Cricut machine and famous throughout the family for her custom birthday cake toppers and elaborate, handcrafted greeting cards. She enjoyed cooking and often sent the family chat pics of the gourmet meal she had prepared that day. She was always a willing companion when someone wanted to try out a new restaurant.

Katy was the definition of an overcomer. When life raised a new roadblock, she moved into problem-solving mode. She would spend hours researching, calling, completing paperwork, and asking for guidance, until she found her way forward. She was a master at finding a deal and always worked the system to get the maximum value for herself and others. She loved to share the reports of her latest deals, whether at Kohls, CVS, or with the cable company.

Above all, Katy was a good friend, a devoted daughter, an even better sister, and a fiercely proud aunt. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Dean Millard, who loved her beyond belief. They spent a lot of time together eating steaks and watching ball games. Katy found comfort in knowing she would be joining him in death. She will be interred with him at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

She leaves behind a family who adored her: her mother, Gayle Lynn Millard; her two sisters, Michelle Lynn Millard and Kristine Marie Martin; her brother-in-law, Aaron Martin; her cherished nieces and nephews — Riley Martin, Jack Martin, Henry Martin, Robenson Millard, Will Millard, and Nathalie Millard; her aunts and uncle, Alice Richardson, Jewell and Jim Lucas, and other extended family members — who will forever carry her love with them. She also left behind Gunner, her beloved rescue dog who was by her side for the last seven years.

Honoring Katy’s wishes, family and close friends will gather to celebrate her life later this year.

Her family wishes to thank the loving caregivers at St. Luke’s Hospice House for providing care and comfort to the entire family. In addition, Katy received excellent care from the KU Palliative Care team.

In lieu of flowers, raise an ice-cold Diet Coke, share a meal with someone you love, or make a contribution in Katy’s memory to Pawportunities (pawportunities.com), a local foster-based rescue organization close to her heart.