Rufina Rachel Kaltenberger

Our mom passed away peacefully Wednesday evening under the care and compassion of the staff at Windsor Commons and Pathways Hospice. Our family would like to extend a special thank you for your kindness.

Rufina Meyer was born July 26.1922 at home in Wellington CO to George and Eva (Schmunk), the fouth of six children. Her early years were spent in the Wellington area - around the age of 8 the family moved to Waverly. CO.

She attended Waverly school from the the third grade until graduation, becoming an exceptional student and star of the Waverly Mustangs girl's basketball team. When she played, chants of "hold that tiger" were common during a game. The team was small with only six girls. They went undefeated through two seasons as North Central League champions playing games against Estes Park, Berthoud, Laporte, Wellington and Pierce and winning the state championships in 1939 and 1940. Playing in games that often ended 35-20 and 27-24, Rufina averaged 20.4 points per game. The team traveled to St. Joseph, MO to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union national championships. They won the first game, with Rufina again scoring the majority of points — sadly the second game was a loss, but the experience of traveling so far from home was a paramount event in her life.

Her basketball talents led her to a job at Denver Dry Goods which sponsored The Denver Dry Goods basketball team. The opportunity to play ball and have a job was unusual since the country was still recovering from the depression.

She returned home to help on the farm and met our dad, Harold Kaltenberger, while at a picnic in Poudre Canyon. They had a few dates before he left for the service and during the time he was gone they kept up a correspondence. He was discharged in December of 1945 and they married in late January of 1946. As was the custom, a Dutch Hop reception followed the wedding. It was held at Central Hall in Fort Collins with the Adolph Lesser Band playing the music. The dance was a success with $80 pinned on the bride and groom.

They started farming and did so for decades. During that time they had four children Karen, Janet, Colleen, and Harold Jay. She worked for Safeway for many years retiring at the age of 62. Always creative, she made most of the clothes for her girls. In 1984 she started competing in the Larimer County Fair, Her First Grand Champion was for an afghan she crocheted. That was the start of competing each year until last year when she entered her final quilt.

She made beautifully pieced jackets, dozens of quilts, sewing projects and cross stitch pictures. Judging day would find her paying close attention to the critiques of the judges. Reserve Champion, Grand Champion, and overall Best of Show were the goal and she won many awards. She also entered in the Weld County Fair and Colorado State Fair, winning there as well.

Our parents loved dancing and Sunday afternoons would find them socializing with a multitude of friends. We held a 95th birthday party for her and she danced the day away.

About five years ago she moved across the street from Karen. Both Karen and Janet were determined to have her live in her home as long possible - mission accomplished!

Our mom had an incredible memory and woke up every morning determined to live for the day. Sports were of great interest to her especially the Nuggets. She knew the game rules of every sport.

She is survived by daughter Karen Davidson, daughter Janet (Jack) Stewart, grandchildren Jenny (Ryan) Patterson, Janie (The Spinster) Davidson, Angie (Brian) Strother, and Eric (Nikki) Davidson, and great-grandchildren Mason Patterson and Quentin and Ethan Strother, and James, Kyle and Eeve Graham.

Preceding her are husband Harold, daughter Colleen, son Harold Jay, siblings Leona Kline, Harry Meyer, Lenard Meyer, Art Meyer, and Shirley Holtcamp.

A life well lived until 103 and three quarters! All we can say is WOW.

Thank you to next door neighbors Lonny and Doreen Cogburn. The assistance they provided to our family at any given time will forever be greatly appreciated.

Viewing will be held from 12-4pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Stuart St. A graveside service will follow at 2pm, on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Grandview Cemetery.