Keith Wayne Stolzenbach

Keith Wayne Stolzenbach, 76, of Highlands Ranch, CO, passed away on September 15, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  Born September 10, 1945 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Alden and Lois Stolzenbach (Sjoholm), he was the oldest of three children.  After his parents divorced, he moved to St. Louis with his mother and siblings at a young age where he was raised by his mother along with his maternal grandmother and her husband.

As a boy, he attended Concordia-Maplewood Elementary School in Maplewood, Missouri and later Lutheran High School South, in Afton, Missouri. During high school, he served in the Naval Reserves his junior and senior year and continued his service after high school as part of the pre-commissioning crew of the U.S.S Guam where he served out the remainder of his service.  After his service, he attended the University of Missouri, St. Louis where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and was introduced to the love of his life, Kay Grus. 

He married Kay in December 1968 and they made the decision to move to Lincoln, Nebraska where he attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska.  Shortly thereafter, they moved further west to Colorado.  Keith made a career as an information technology consultant and worked and consulted at many different companies including the University of Denver, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the State of Colorado, Metropolitan State College, Accenture Technology Solutions, and MCI, among others, where he made lifelong friends.

Fishing was his passion, and he was an active member of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishermen for many years. He tied his own flies and even built his own fly rods. He enjoyed road biking and participated in several long-distance rides, including the MS 150 multiple times.  Keith was an avid photographer, reader, and writer.  He had a deep appreciation for wildlife and was especially fond of his family pets who he spoiled regularly. 

He was a den leader in boy scouts, taught bible school, and was an assistant counselor for the church youth group.  Keith loved nature and enjoyed hiking, camping, and driving through the mountains with his family and friends.  He enjoyed traveling and spent many wonderful vacations to destinations throughout Europe, the U.S., and all parts of Colorado, in addition to cruises with Kay through the Mediterranean and around Alaska.

When he retired, he was a volunteer at the Chatfield Reservoir Heronry and gave tours at the Wildlife Experience. His fondness for the outdoors led him to a part-time retirement job at Cabela’s.

Keith was predeceased in life by his mother, father, brother, Wayne Stolzenbach, and brother-in-law, Tom Helton.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kay Stolzenbach of Highlands Ranch, CO; his sister Sherry Helton of Gray Summit, MO; his sister-in-law, Sande Stolzenbach, of Elmhurst, IL; his three children, James Stolzenbach (Ana) of Denver, CO, Mollie Stolzenbach of Parker, CO, and Dan Stolzenbach (Natalie) of Southport, CT.  He is also survived by two beloved grandsons, Aidan Stolzenbach of Omaha, NE, and Dexter Stolzenbach of Inglewood, CA as well as many nieces and nephews.  Keith was a loving husband, an amazing father, and a devoted grandfather, affectionately known as “Poppy”.

Services will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Drinkwine Mortuary from 10am to 11am, followed by a reception to celebrate his life.  A private interment with military honors will take place on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at Fort Logan National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Keith Stolzenbach’s memory to: RockyMountainBloodFund.org or TheDenverHospice.org.

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