Lorraine A. (Naggatz) Buchleiter passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Fort Collins, CO at the age of 98. A memorial service will be held at Peace With Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO on June 12 at 1:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Sterling, CO on Tuesday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m. with viewing before. Committal at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery will follow the service.

Lorraine was born to Anna F. (Kropp) and Harry C. Naggatz on August 11, 1924, on the family's wheat farm northeast of Amherst, CO. St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst was a fixture of her early life as she was baptized, confirmed, and attended parochial school there, developing an abiding faith that comforted and enriched her throughout her life.

Lorraine graduated from high school in Venango, NE in 1942 before attending Barnes Business School in Denver, CO. Her studies prepared her for an exciting job at Columbia Pictures and developed a keen eye for detail that she never lost.

In 1945 she met Roy Buchleiter Jr., who had just returned from service in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The couple were married in Amherst in 1947 before honeymooning in Yellowstone National Park. Fittingly, they first met on a hayride, reflecting both of their country roots and foreshadowing the more than forty years they spent farming near Sterling, CO. Lorraine put her business school skills to good use, keeping meticulous records and ledgers of transactions for the farm. She was an industrious homemaker who loved baking. Her children and grandchildren enjoyed the bread, cinnamon rolls, and cookies that she always had ready for family and guests. She enjoyed hosting – especially large Thanksgiving family feasts at the farm.

Lorraine and Roy were active members of First English Lutheran Church in Sterling, where she served in Ladies Guild and taught Sunday School for many years. She also was a longtime officer in her community women's club and frequently volunteered at the Sterling Regional MedCenter. Lorraine moved from the farm to Sterling in 2004, and later to Fort Collins in 2010. She enjoyed visiting with guests and joining the communities at her assisted living and nursing home. Her bright eyes and infectious smile endeared her to all who met her. Her warmth and love will be dearly missed by her family and caregivers.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Roy in 1994, brother Melvin in 2010, nephews Delwin and Kerry Naggatz in 1976, and her grandson Andrew in 2017. She is survived by children Don of Lawton, OK; Gerald (Sara) and Karen of Fort Collins, CO; Roger of Sterling, CO; grandchildren Brandon (Heather) Buchleiter and Katie Buchleiter of Sterling, Rachel Buchleiter of Nashville, TN, Jon (Tara) Buchleiter of Austin TX; as well as 3 great-granddaughters and 3 great-grandsons. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Lutheran Hour Ministries, First English Lutheran Church Ladies Guild, or Camp Machasay, a Christian youth camp located on her childhood farm. See https://youthchallenge.us for more information on how to donate to Camp Machasay.