Patricia Jean Kastanek

November 15, 1934 – February 22, 2026

Patricia “Jean” (Bellinghausen) Kastanek of Boulder, Colorado died Sunday, February 22 at her home. She was 91.

Jean was born November 15, 1934, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Louis Leonard Bellinghausen and Martha Susan (Schiltz) Bellinghausen. She grew up on the family farm. Jean married Alton Joseph Kastanek Jr on August 20, 1955, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. They were married 47 years.

Jean attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse before graduating from St. Mary’s High School. She later graduated from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, with a degree in business.

While growing up, as an 8-year member of the Finley 4-H Club, Jean completed a total of 83 projects and was the recipient of the Phillips Foundation scholarship as well as earning trips to Utah and Colorado. Jean served as president of the Finley 4-H Club. She also sang in a 4-H singing group.

In high school, she was a member of the glee club and the pep club. She received the Citizenship Award for two years in a row. She was a secretary for her sophomore class and was chosen as Outstanding Sophomore in 1950.

After marriage, she and Alton moved to Boulder, CO where she was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church for over 62 years. Jean was incredibly active in her Parish, where she was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society, worked in the cafeteria, and volunteered & fundraised for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mayfair Auction. She also volunteered with Mother House and the Boulder Homeless Shelter.

As a country girl at heart, Jean loved gardening and planted daisies, morning glories and many others as well as many different types of vegetables. Jean enjoyed baking apple pies, sewing, embroidery, knitting, reading, traveling, fishing, canning, camping, dancing and singing. She also loved babies – both human and animal.

Jean is survived by her younger brother, Bob Bellinghausen (Jane) of Columbia, Missouri as well as her many children: Catherine Kastanek of Boulder, Robert Kastanek (Nancy) of Boulder, Caroline Kerr (Duane) of Loveland, Ron Kastanek of Boulder, Roger Kastanek (Jill) of Avinger, TX, Ray Kastanek (Jeanne Frei) of Firestone, Christine Kastanek of Boulder, and Ralph Kastanek (Stephanie Lumley) of Broomfield.

Jean is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Krystal, Michael, Samantha, Christopher, Michaela, Sam, Luke, Thor, Tasia, Colton, Rachel, Cassi, Emily, Emma, Effie, Alton & Logan as well as by ten great grandchildren: Eliam, Kelly, Hunter, Yuri, Everli, Kokomi, Tyler, Cody, Gwendolyn & Delilah.

Jean is preceded in death by her son Richard (Jane), her husband, her parents and siblings: Louis Raymond Bellinghausen (Margie), James Michael Bellinghausen (Betty Ann), Elizabeth Ann Brown (Linden), Mary Catherine Kirkpatrick (Bernie), Lorene Catherine Buettner (Emil) and many other close relatives.

The family would like to give special thanks to close friends who touched Mom's heart: Beth & Ray Sarno, Troy Phelps, Bryan Hemel, Liz James & Patricia Doran, as well as to Trail Winds Hospice Team for their compassionate care and support provided in her final time.

A Catholic rosary will be said between 4-5 PM during the visitation hours that will take place on March 5th from 4-8 PM at: Crist Mortuary 3395 Penrose Place Boulder, CO 80301.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on March 6th from 10-11 AM at: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 1318 Mapleton Avenue Boulder, CO 80304.

A Celebration of Life Reception will follow in the church grotto from 11AM - 1PM.

Committal will take place on March 6th from 1-2 PM at: Green Mountain Cemetery 290 20th Street Boulder, CO 80302.