

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.
DONATIONS
Dr. Kathleen C. Luttenegger Legacy in Teaching EndowmentCampus Box 14, PO Box 173362, Denver, Colorado 80217-3362
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.18.0