Gary Joseph Kloberdanz

Gary was born to Joseph and Lorraine (Applehans) in Sterling, CO, on September 13, 1948, where his parents farmed. Gary’s parents moved from Sterling to Fort Morgan and lived there for a short time. Gary’s family moved quite a bit for work when he was a young man growing up, and he was always the “new” kid before finally settling in Greeley. He graduated from the “new” Greeley West High School and was proud to be a member of the first junior class at Greeley West. He was excited to be in a new school where everyone was also new. He became active on the student counsel and he had a role in choosing the Spartans as a mascot and the school colors. He became president of his senior class. Gary loved sports and was an avid wrestler, gymnast and racquetball player.

Gary was an overachiever and loved academics. He attended the University of Colorado and became an active member of the Acacia fraternity. Gary was accepted into both medical and dental school. After his job at the Hennepin County General Hospital as an orderly in the burn unit, he chose Dental School. He was accepted into Dental School at the University of Minnesota while attending his junior year at the University of Colorado, a full year before most applicants. He then went onto the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1973 with his Doctorate – Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and a Master of Science. Dr. Kloberdanz joined Dr. Burdette Edgren in Greeley initially and they practiced together for nearly ten years. In 1984 Dr. Kloberdanz established his solo practice, Greeley Orthodontic Center, in downtown Greeley in the historic Greeley High School and practiced there for many years. At one point, he opened a satellite practice in Estes Park for approximately 8 years. He later moved his office to the west side of Greeley overlooking the Highland Hills Golf Course and the scenic Rocky Mountains as his backdrop. Gary was known in the northern Colorado area as “The Smile Specialist.” He practiced orthodontia for 39 years in Greeley until he sold his large practice. After selling his practice, he moved to Fort Morgan where he opened a small practice. Gary loved being an orthodontist and he enjoyed working with his patients because he knew what a difference a smile makes. He retired from practice in January of 2018. Dr. Kloberdanz was involved in many orthodontic organizations and was extremely accomplished.

Gary was married to Kathryn on September 6, 1969. After graduation, Gary moved with his wife, to Greeley, CO, to work as an orthodontist and to raise his family of five children born between 1978 through 1988: David Joseph, Jonathan James, Anna Christine, Grace Kathryn and Mary Elizabeth. Gary and Kathryn were very involved in their children’s education and homeschooled them for approximately 10 years in their country home just east of Greeley.

After Gary’s retirement, he was married to his second wife Carol, on June 19, 2018. He and Carol lived on their dream retirement property in the country just north of Fort Collins, CO. Gary was an avid disc golf player and created his own private 18 basket disc golf course, Rattlesnake Disc Golf Course, where he enjoyed playing with family and his many friends. He loved people and enjoyed seeing others enjoy the fruit of his labors. He enjoyed retirement with his wife, where they lived on their own private “wildlife reserve.” They both enjoyed looking out their windows to see deer, antelope, elk, coyotes, along with numerous bunnies, birds and even raptors and taking walks together on the property. They enjoyed traveling together on numerous occasions until Gary’s health began to decline.

Gary loved his family. His children were his finest accomplishments. He was so very proud of each of them and bragged about them as often as anyone would listen. During his off times when his children were young, he loved roller blading and bike riding with them. He enjoyed playing basketball in the backyard with the kids and hiking in the mountains. He will be exceedingly missed by all who loved and knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol (Winters) and his big furry white Great Pyrenees, Yeti. Gary is also survived by his 5 children: David and Christian, step-children: Kaitlyn, Jackson, Deacon and Allison, Jacksonville, Florida; Jonathan James, Westminster, CO; Anna Christine and Randy Edwards, granddaughter Charlotte, Denver, CO; Grace and Brandon LeVasseur, granddaughters, Daphne and Esme, Longmont, CO; Mary Elizabeth and Dustin Allard; grandson, Sawyer; two brothers; Donald of Fort Collins, CO; and James of Denton, TX. Gary was preceded in death by his younger brother, Joseph. He is also survived by Carol’s daughters and grandchildren; Jessica Rainey, Littleton, CO; Cristina Rainey, Longmont, CO, grandchildren; Trevor, Kaileh, Jesse. Gary is also survived by his first wife, Kathryn (Lervick). Services will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 8426 U. S. Hwy. 287, Fort Collins, CO on Thursday, April 2, 2020, with visitation at 9:00 a.m. and graveside service and internment at 10:00 a.m. (Mandates related to Covid-19 will apply).