Kathleen Carroll Luttenegger

in Denver, Colorado on February 17, 1971. Kathleen grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado,

graduating as a mighty, mighty Lambkin in 1989. Diagnosed in February 2020 with

kidney cancer, Kathleen fought the good fight, but her body simply could not continue

any longer. She spent the last few months finding joy in all things, snow falling and sun

shining, cats purring and birds singing, a hot chai and delicious dark chocolate, and

most importantly, laughing and visiting with friends and family.

Throughout her life, Kathleen was many things. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a

friend, a thinker, an athlete, a researcher, a learner, a teacher, an explorer. However, her

most important role, and the one she was most proud of, was Mom. She adopted Maya

Maria in 2004 and the two of them lived a life filled with dancing and off-key singing

while celebrating each day with laughter and love. She taught Maya Maria to be strong

and let her light shine for the world to see.

Kathleen was fiercely independent. During her senior year, she laid out a map to find the

farthest college from home. For her, that meant attending Mount Holyoke College in

Massachusetts where, much to the dismay of her father, she graduated with a major in

Women’s Studies and a minor, much to his delight, in Elementary Education. Kathleen

had a zest for adventure and a passion for education, so after graduating in 1993, she

followed her heart to Columbia University Teacher College in New York and earned her

M.A in Special Education.

After returning to Colorado in 1994, Kathleen taught elementary students while earning

an MBA with an emphasis on Educational Administration from the University of

Denver. Kathleen took a three-year hiatus from being a student and traveled to Poland

to live and teach. During this time, she traveled throughout Europe, eating oranges in

Barcelona on New Year’s Eve 2000, swimming in the beautiful waters off of the

Maldives, and studying art in Florence, Italy. She took advantage of all that life offered

and loved every minute of it.

Because the pull of family was strong, Kathleen returned to Colorado and, once again,

headed back to school. Ever the student, Kathleen earned her final degree, a Ph.D. in

Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Colorado Boulder. She was hired for

her dream job as Professor in the School Education at Metropolitan State University

Denver and taught there for the past fourteen years. She continued working even after

entering Hospice care this Fall. Regardless of the age and the level, Kathleen shared her

love of learning with those around her. She believed strongly that education could and

would change the world.

Kathleen was predeceased by her mother, Mary Ellen Luttenegger. She is survived by

her father, Tom Luttenegger and her daughter, Maya Maria. She is also survived by her

sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Rob Funk, along with their sons, Lucas and

Benjamin. Finally, she is survived by her cats, Mimi and Blue. She will be missed dearly,

but her family knows there is another angel watching over them in heaven.

Thank you to the care givers from Home Instead and the team from Denver Hospice

who helped make these last six months as comfortable as possible at home for Kathleen.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Parish in Fort Collins, Colorado

on Thursday, May 12 at 2:00 pm with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, Kathleen’s family asks that you consider making a gift to the Dr.

Kathleen C. Luttenegger Legacy in Teaching Endowment, allowing her legacy to live on

at MSU Denver through the students she selflessly served. Your generosity will support

School of Education students as they work toward achieving their dreams of earning a

degree and working in the field of education. For more information, please contact

Allyssa Joseph, director of development.