Obituary of Kathleen Judy Langton

Kathleen Judy (Kolstad) Langton, age 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025 at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN.

Kathleen Judy Kolstad was born on April 7, 1946 to Elvin and Mabel (Lanskov) Kolstad in Rochester, MN. She was baptized at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Fountain, MN and confirmed at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. On June 24, 1967, Kathleen married Barry Curtis Langton, also at Zumbro Lutheran Church. They began their married life near Fort Devens, Massachusetts, after Barry enlisted in the U.S. Army. Barry was transferred to Herzogenaurach, Germany. They traveled extensively in Europe until Barry was discharged in 1971.

Kathleen graduated in 1964 from John Marshall High School in Rochester, MN. After returning to the United States in 1971 from Germany, she earned an Accounting Degree from the University of MN. She obtained her CPA license and worked in public accounting for about 4 years. In 1977 Kathleen transitioned to private industry, where she worked in finance until her retirement in 2011.

Kathleen had an active retirement. She and Barry continued their excursions into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which they had started in the middle 1970’s. They also returned to Europe and traveled to a number of spots in the Caribbean and Central America. Kathleen had a “green thumb” and transformed her Minneapolis city lot into a vegetable garden and pollinator habitat. Giving back to the community was very important to Kathleen. She gave generously of her talents and resources to many Twin Cities non-profits.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Barry; 6 nieces and nephews, 7 great-nieces and nephews, and 4 great-great niece and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Janet Kolstad, and her brother, Morris Kolstad.

A private graveside service will be held at Root Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery in Fillmore County at a later date.