Audrey Faye Koltiska was born April 30, 1948 and passed March 25, 2010.

Audrey was born in Sheridan, Wyoming to George and Lena (Welch) Koltiska. She was raised on the family ranch on Cat Creek, east of Sheridan. She attended Holy Name School, Sheridan High School, Sheridan College, and Parks School of Business (Denver). Audrey spent the last four decades serving the people of Sheridan County, the last twelve of which she was elected as County Clerk.

For her son, her brothers and sister, her entire family, her friends, or anyone who had ever had the great pleasure and honor of knowing her, Audrey was truly one of the most wonderful people this world will ever know. She was a best friend to everyone, a guardian, and the one we could always depend on and trust. A woman of great integrity and pride, she was the one that everyone wanted to laugh with and the one we turned to in our times of need. In her truly modest fashion, she never realized, she was our hero.

With great sadness we mourn the loss of someone so very dear to us. To say she will be missed is the greatest understatement. We have to say goodbye for now knowing that someday we will be together again.

She is survived by her son Tom Koltiska (Mark), sister - Deb Adams (Warren), brothers – Gary Koltiska (Vicki), Robert Koltiska (Dawn). Nephews and nieces – Travis, Jason (Joy), and Justin (Jesse) Koltiska, Genie Adams Mayfield (Chad) and Trenton (Jennifer) Adams, Kristi, Megan and Brandon Koltiska and numerous great nieces, nephews and extended family.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” Headstone in Ireland Cemetery

We invite family and friends to join with us in her Life Celebration, Wednesday March 31 at the Sheridan Inn from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in her name to Ducks Unlimited. (www.ducksunlimited.org)

SheridanMedia.com - March 29, 2010.

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SHERIDAN — Sheridan County authorities say County Clerk Audrey Koltiska shot and killed herself.

Sheridan County Coroner Mark Ferries said the 61-year-old Koltiska committed suicide around noon Thursday.

Sheridan County Attorney Matt Redle told the Sheridan Press that the Division of Criminal Investigation had interviewed Koltiska and others Thursday about a report of misappropriation of public funds in the clerk’s office.

Redle said that sometime after the interview, Koltiska left messages for family members that said she was being set up. He said he asked DCI to complete the investigation.

Koltiska had been county clerk for about 12 years, and her term expired at the end of this year.

The Sheridan County clerk’s office was closed Thursday afternoon and Friday. It will reopen Monday.

Billings Gazette - March 26, 2010.