Kay Langendoerfer Obituary

Langendoerfer
Kay Langendoerfer
February 22, 1945
November 7, 2023

Kay Langendoerfer, of Colorado Springs, was born February 22, 1945 in St. Francis, Kansas to Harold and Maxine Langendoerfer. Kay grew up as a farm girl on the plains of eastern Colorado, near Idalia. The Langendoerfer family was one of seven families that were original homesteaders of the fertile land in the Idalia community. Kay had a great life on her family's farm with her parents, one brother, Roger, and a large extended family. She learned to love and appreciate the land, and in a last visit to eastern Colorado in July, 2023, it was apparent that even after 60 years living away from it, Kay still had a deep love and appreciation for the land.

As a young girl, Kay was a talented musician and an excellent and popular student. She completed her high school education at Idalia High School and then attended Barnes Business College in Denver. While attending Barnes, Kay's roommate was her cousin, Carolyn Moellenberg. Kay and Carolyn were life-long close friends in addition to being cousins.

After graduation from Barnes Business College, Kay worked at the US Court of Appeals in Denver for several years. Kay's father, Harold, passed away unexpectedly in 1965, and after that, Kay's mother moved to Denver to be close to Kay. After several years in Denver, Kay and Maxine moved to California, where Kay was employed by defense contractor firms for about 20 years.

In the1990s, Kay and Maxine moved to Virginia. During that time, Kay worked for Northrop Grumman in various capacities and locations in the Washington D.C. area. She found her work there challenging and enjoyed her work colleagues.
Outside of work, Kay had a great sense of humor and enjoyed socializing with her friends. She liked all kinds of music, theater and sporting events. She loved attending plays and concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., annual trips to New York City to see Broadway plays and week-end get-aways to summer music festivals in the area.

During these years in Virginia, Kay cared for her mother, Maxine, through several years of declining health in the late 1990s. Maxine passed away in 2000 at the age of 80.

In 2012, Kay retired from Northrup-Grumman and settled in Colorado Springs to be near her brother, Roger, and his wife, Colleen, and their family. Kay's return to Colorado allowed her to reconnect with old friends and with her extended family, with whom she enjoyed many good times. In addition to friends and family, Kay enjoyed her retirement in Colorado Springs with season tickets to Colorado College Hockey games and plays and concerts at the Pikes Peak Center. She treasured her dominoes and lunch friends and looked forward to weekly gatherings. Trips to Denver and Vail to attend musical and theater events were a highlight as well. Kay was a very knowledgeable and serious sports fan and was interested in all kinds of sports including football (the Denver Broncos were her team!), the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets.

Kay passed away unexpectedly at her home on November 7, 2023.

Kay's sense of humor and fun and zest for life will be missed by all those who knew her and loved her. She was a wise, strong and stoic woman who could be depended upon always. She will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her. Left to mourn Kay's passing are her brother, Roger Langendoerfer and his wife, Colleen, many other relatives and friends. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Maxine Langendoerfer; her sister-in-law, Ruth Langendoerfer; and her nephew, Rocky Langendoerfer.

A Memorial Service is planned for May 18th at 11:00 AM at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donating to The Alzheimer's Foundation or the National Mill Dog Rescue.