Lajos (Louie) Kelemen, Sr.

Lajos “Louie” Kelemen Sr.

Lajos “Louie” Kelemen Sr., 90, of Montrose, Colorado passed away March 10, 2020, at Colorow Care Center in Olathe, Colorado where he received excellent care from the Colorow staff and HopeWest Hospice.

Louie was born August 25, 1929 in Mecsér, Hungary, to Lajos and Ilona Kelemen.  He was the oldest of 9 children.  He was married to Maria Limpár on May 11, 1951 in Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary.

He is survived by two sons, Lajos (Vickie) Kelemen Jr. of Montrose, Colorado and Victor Kelemen of Omaha, Nebraska; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer, Stefan, Patrick and Elizabeth Kelemen  all of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and Cooper Kelemen of Omaha, Nebraska.  He is also survived by four step-granddaughters, Melinda Dean and Elizabeth (Dan) Reiss of Montrose, Claire and Charise Climer of Omaha, Nebraska; three step-great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Emily Reiss of Montrose, Kingston Climer of Omaha, Nebraska.  He is also survived by one brother János Kelemen, and one sister Magdi (Istvan) Liszkai all of Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lajos and Ilona Kelemen of Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary and 6 siblings; Zoltan, Ilona, Vilmos, Iren, Gyula, Valeria all of Hungary.  He was also preceded in death by his beautiful, loving wife of 61 years, Maria Kelemen of Montrose (born in Budapest, Hungary).

Lajos served in the Hungarian military as a tank driver and instructor.  He and his wife came to America in 1957 with their two sons ages 5 and 1 and lived in the Denver area for about 35 years.  While in Denver he worked as an auto mechanic and eventually opened his own shop specializing in imported vehicles.  He later worked and retired from Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado.  After retirement He and Maria lived in Arkansas for a short time then moved to Montrose.  He has lived in Montrose for the past 25 years.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.  He cared for an immaculate huge garden that included 9 grape vines and 15 fruit trees. He was very proud of his garden.  He loved all his family and deeply missed his Hungarian relatives.  He often bragged about what a wonderful cook his wife Maria was and he greatly enjoyed traditional Hungarian dishes.  He often told stories about growing up near the Danube River and some of his teenage shenanigans. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Services will be held at Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main Street, Montrose, CO., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.  Visitation will be from 1:30pm to 3:00pm with the funeral service to follow at 3:00pm.