Loretta Maxine Lengel

Loretta M. Lengel (Maxine), age 87, passed away with loved ones surrounding her on May 9, 2025, in Limon, Colorado.

On August 11, 1937, in their home on the Yuma County line in Colorado, Maxine was born to parents Cecil Curtis and Glessie Ellen (Ferguson) Crist. The family later moved to a house by the river, where Maxine’s younger brother, Orlie, was born in 1940. Another move in 1942, when older brother Dale was in the second grade, put them on a farmstead north of Stratton. Maxine and her brothers grew up attending country school until Dale was a Freshman and Maxine was in the 7th grade. From there, the kids went to school in Kirk. The class of 1955, Maxine’s class, was the last to graduate from the Kirk School before it became Liberty; she was the valedictorian. After graduating, Maxine moved to Burlington, Colorado, where she lived with her friend, Sadie Finley, and worked in a restaurant.

Maxine met the love of her life, Donald E. Lengel, at a dance. They were married in Burlington, Colorado, on January 12, 1956, and were together for 67 joyous years until Don’s passing on August 9, 2023. Three children were born from this union: Rosalie Sue, Joie Ann, and Russell Dean.

Maxine loved working and spent fourteen years as a file clerk and abstracter at Hedlund Abstract Office in Hugo, professionally preparing summaries of property titles, including ownership and legal descriptions. Her extensive knowledge of Lincoln County properties and lineage, attention to detail, and love for puzzle-solving led her to excel in the field.

Aside from attending activities involving her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Maxine loved serving her community as an election judge, accompanying husband Don on “junk runs,” finding treasures at yard sales, and spending time with friends either gambling or playing Bingo. She will be remembered for her homemade ice cream, love of games, and infectious laugh when something tickled her. You would never leave her house hungry, and her final comment was always, “Come back!”

Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Orlon Crist, and in-laws.

Those left to celebrate Maxine’s life are her children, Sue (Bob) Dutro of Karval, Joie (Fred) Poss of Hugo, and Russell (Corinne) Lengel of Limon; brother, Dale Crist of Burlington, sister-in-law, Iva Crist of Burlington; 7 grandchildren, Curt (Mindy) Dutro of Karval, Collin Dutro of Denver, Eric (Rhianna) Poss of Hugo, Scott (Emily) Poss of Hugo, Lynn (Brayden) Connour of Torrington, Wyoming, Hilary (Tyler) Neff of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Madison Lengel of Castle Rock, Colorado; 10 great-grandchildren, Beau, Blake, and Della Dutro, Cy and Charli Poss, Jax and Jace Poss, and Brynn, Drew, and Scottie Connour, and a host of extended family members and lifelong friends.

Pastor Piete Lopo will officiate a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Hugo United Methodist Church in Hugo, Colorado. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hugo.

The family has entrusted Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, Nebraska, with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Hugo Fire Protection District, PO Box 85, Hugo, CO 80821.