Katy Bergman Koontz

Kathryn (Katy) Leigh Bergman Koontz was born in Norman Oklahoma on November 12, 1985, to Doug and Nancy Bergman. Jesus took Katy to be with Him on October 6, 2024.

She was a blessing to us and her big sister Audrey from the moment we found out we were pregnant. Audrey “watched” her grow, felt her kicks, and heard her heartbeat; we all eagerly awaited her arrival. Katy was such a sweetheart. Always kind. A little precocious. Always giving lots of love and being loved by all of us. She had the cutest little giggle. She brought sunshine everywhere she went. Katy grew up in the shadow of her big sister. Wherever Audrey was, Katy wanted to be there too. Katy’s other favorite place to be was with their dog, Goldie. We smile every time we think about the three of them racing around the backyard.

Katy attended Norman Public Schools, graduating from Norman High School in 2004. Sooner born and sooner bred, Katy was destined to go to the University of Oklahoma long before she became a freshman. She had watched her sister start at OU and join the Alpha Chi Omega sorority; it was destiny that she would fall in love with OU and AXO too. Majoring in Public Relations, she excelled in her studies and also with her involvement with AXO, eventually becoming an officer, VP of Philanthropy, and going on to be chapter advisor for 5 years. She truly loved the women of AXO and poured her heart in to seeing them and the house succeed. Many of the women regularly reached out to her, even after they graduated, for encouragement, advice and the sincere kind of friendship that was Katy’s trademark. It has been said of Katy that she had a special way of making people feel “seen”.

After graduating from OU’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2008, Katy went to work for the United Way of Central Oklahoma as Director of Events and Online Communications. She had several job duties, most importantly, organizing their events. Katy wasn’t content to just plan great events, but wanted to and did build strong relationships with co-workers and donors. She really wanted everyone to know how important they were to her, to the organization and to the positive impact they were having on the community. She was an incredibly rare balance of someone that’s goal oriented but also people focused.

After successfully working there for five years, Katy felt the tug to go back to her roots at OU. Katy joined OU in 2013. Her first job was as an Assistant Director of Communications in Admission and Recruitment. She loved being part of the process of wooing new students (especially high school children of friends who graduated from OSU, and anyone from Texas). While in this role, Katy found inspiration in an unexpected area. She was responsible for the website for her department, a role in which she flourished. What started out as just an additional “side job” turned into a passion.

Two years later, Katy was recruited to be Web Manager in Marketing and Communications. In that role, she worked on the development of over 500 websites from concept to completion. Katy loved meeting people from all over campus. She loved taking “non-web people” (like she had formerly been) and helping them tell the story of their area. Katy got to know people all over campus and everyone loved her and appreciated her willingness to help, her talent, and ability to work with everyone, from the newest person in a small department to a university senior staff member. In February of 2024, she transitioned into a Strategic Marketing role within the division. Her skillful work and generous character have left a lasting mark on both the division and university.

As a proud Gaylord alumna, Katy served as a long-time board member for the Vice President of External Communications. Her leadership played a key role in the organization’s success in reaching alumni and connecting with Gaylord students.

An extraordinary educator, Katy’s pride and joy was the Gaylord College Media practicum she helped found and lead since the Fall semester of 2021. Today, her class has grown to nearly 20 students and remains an integral part of Gaylord College’s social, web and marketing efforts. From sharing alumni stories to developing multimedia campaigns, Katy empowered students to take on projects, create connections, build their portfolios, and thrive under her mentorship. Katy’s story lives on through all those who knew her and were impacted by her, for the better.

Katy was the sparkplug of our family. She was the initiator, the instigator, the cajoler, the lover, the trip organizer, the one that pulled us all together with her tender heart and the one that never, ever, ever gave up on any of us.

Katy is survived by her husband Jon Koontz, who she married in February of 2018 (at OU’s Sam Noble Museum), her fur babies, Scout, Molly, Angel Tilly and Sully, her parents Doug and Nancy Bergman, her sister Audrey Fitzpatrick (Justen) and niece Eden Bergman, all of Norman; her in-laws, Carla and Jim Hilkert, Randy and Annette Koontz, her aunt Darline McCormick and uncle John Bergman, her uncle Craig (Br. Bede) Nicol and numerous cousins.

Come join us to celebrate Katy’s life. Please no black or dowdy colors (OK for pants or skirts). Katy loved everything OU, especially OU football. We ask that you wear OU’s crimson and cream to honor her love for OU and to help us celebrate her life. Sorry if you’re not an OU fan; we know you’ll be happy to do this for Katy. BOOMER!!!

Katy’s celebration of life will be Tuesday November 12th, 2024 at Wildwood Community Church in Norman under the direction of Tribute Memorial Care.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship in Katy's name has been set up at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1720/21/form.aspx?sid=1720&gid=2&pgid=3628&cid=9584