Obituary of Alvin Langendoerfer

Alvin George Langendoerfer passed away from this life on March 21, 2006 at the age of 85, at the Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, after several years of failing health. Alvin was born on July 4, 1920 at the doctor’s office in Idalia, Colorado to William and Mamie Langendoerfer. He was the fourth child in a family that also included one sister, Florence, and two brothers Harold and Ernie along with one cousin Stan Voss. Alvin grew up on the family farm west of Idalia and always said he had a great and happy life growing up with his family, even though there were hardships and hard work. He started school at the age of 5 and graduated from Idalia High School in 1937, at the age of 16. He completed an additional year of study at Wray High School, and then attended college for a year and a half. Alvin was proud to have served his country in WWII. He was in the US Army from 1942 through 1946 and spent over a year in Europe, stationed in England, France and Germany. Even though he was proud to have served, this was not a happy period of his life. When Alvin returned to the Idalia community after the end of WWII, he bought a farm south of Idalia on the Republican River in 1946. He met the love of his life, Burnetta Hutton of Kirk in May of 1947. They were married in Kirk on December 28, 1947. They lived and worked together on the farm for 44 years. If you asked Alvin what was the best day of his life and the defining event of his life, he would always say that it was the day he met Burnetta. Alvin embraced Burnetta’s large family and enjoyed all the wonderful Sunday dinner get-togethers and other good times spent with all of them. Alvin and Burnetta raised two children; Penny, born in 1954 and Bill, born in 1957. Alvin was a loving and strong father, who, by example, gave his children strong values in life. He was a quiet man, but was always there to listen and give wise advice when asked. Alvin was an excellent grandfather to Bill’s children, Lucas, who was born in 1988 and Hannah, who was born in 1991. Alvin loved every opportunity he had to care for and spend time with Lucas and Hannah. Alvin and Burnetta moved to Burlington, Colorado in June of 1989. Alvin enjoyed his retirement in Burlington, still helping on the farm as needed as long as he was able. Alvin and Burnetta enjoyed their daily walks together, morning coffee around town, talking with friends, trips to the country to look at crops, trips to neighboring towns to see what was happening and church on Sunday. Alvin enjoyed reading, especially National Geographic, biographies and western novels. Alvin also loved music, even though he never learned to play an instrument or had formal voice training. He particularly loved to sing with and listen to the music of his three nieces, Sharon Langendoerfer, Beverly Shively and Sandee Strobel. The bedrocks of Alvin’s life were his faith in God, his love of his family and his love of the land. He was always consistent with these core beliefs in his thoughts and actions. That made him a man that could always be counted on, in good times and bad. He was optimistic about lift and encouraged that attitude in those around him. Alvin had been failing in health in recent years, but still enjoyed life and was interested in what was happening around him. He was cared for, so faithfully, in those years of declining health, by his wife Burnetta. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brothers. He is survived by his wife Burnetta; his children; Penny Sayre and her husband Bob of Colorado Springs, and their son Bill and his wife Judy of Idalia. He is also survived by his grandchildren Lucas and Hannah Langendoerfer; sisters-in-law, Hazel Langendoerfer and Judy Hutton; brother-in-law Ron Hutton and his wife Alma Jean, as well as may nieces and nephews who loved with all his heart. Funeral services for Mr. Langendoerfer were held on Saturday, March 25, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Burlington with Pastor Joab Patton officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday, March 24, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Alvin’s name to the First Christian Church and may be left at the Bank of the West in Burlington.