1942
Joseph
2023
Joseph Carl Abendschan
July 14, 1942 — December 24, 2023
Born on July 14, 1942, to Jacob Henry and Nora May (Bear) Abendschan in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He graduated Longmont High School in 1960 and joined the United States Marine Corp artillery division,
achieving rank of Corporal and being awarded the Good Conduct Medal and a Sharp-shooting badge for
M14.
He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Lynda Paulette Humrich on November 24,
1961, in a small ceremony in Longmont. He then embarked on a Marine mission to Okinawa Japan,
where he not only fulfilled his duties as a Devil Dog, but also founded a baseball team for the Japanese
children. While away, his lovely wife gave birth to their first child, a son they named Scot Lee. After Joe
returned to the United States, the three of them lived in Vista California. Thereafter they moved back to
Longmont to welcome their daughter MiChelle Lynn.
He worked at the Mountain View Cemetery, and then IBM as a security guard and worked his way up
through the ranks as Quality Inspector. Eventually he mastered tech support in the IBM call center for
the State of California Welfare System. He retired from IBM after almost 40 years of dedication.
Joe was always a man of action, eager to help anyone in need of assistance. His volunteering exertions
included service to the Longmont JayCee’s, Longmont Community Watch (which he affectionately called
“Boogie Patrol”), High Plains Enduros club as President and founder, Pawnee National Grasslands and the
JM Post American Legion/VFW. It did not matter whether it was cleaning up after meals, or preparing
and cleaning rifles and participating in the Honor Guard, Joe spent countless hours helping behind the
scenes to make sure all the events were ready and went off in the best possible way. He also did a lot of
unofficial voluntary work such as transporting equipment to the disabled with his daughter. He was
always the first to volunteer, stating in his baritone voice “Sign me up!”
Joe loved nature and was an incredibly talented photographer. He spent countless hours capturing the
beauty of the outdoors with his good friends Ray Klocek and Rich Boelke. They often would travel
together to obtain prize-winning photographs! He was very active in the great outdoors including hiking,
camping, riding motorcycles, jet skis and boats. He taught his children and grandchildren all about gun
safety and spent most Sunday mornings refining his target shooting skills with various members of his
family. He loved creating family adventures for his children and grandchildren, always accompanied by
his beautiful wife.
The love story of Joe and Lynda is epic! At 62 years of marriage, the couple continued to be best friends
and loved each other with ferocious loyalty. Never has a man had a greater love for his wife, than Joe
did for his beloved “LP” as he liked to call her.
His sense of humor and quick wit will forever remain legendary. He was a quiet, almost stoic man, but
oh ...when he laughed! He could light up the universe with his heartfelt laughter!
He passed away peacefully in his home on Christmas Eve 2023, surrounded by his loving family, as he
wanted. He is survived by his lovely wife Lynda (Humrich) Abendschan of Johnstown CO, his son Scot of
Gulf Shores Alabama, daughter MiChelle of Johnstown, grandson Justin O’Harrow of Wisconsin, Joshua
Lowenguth of Loveland, Nichole O’Harrow of Prague, Darienne Pearcy and husband Alex of Johnstown
and Olivia Foster of Fort Collins CO, and 5 delightful great grandchildren.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Carl Abendschan, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Thursday, January 4, 2024
1:30 - 3:30 pm (Mountain time)
Mark's Funeral and Cremation
Reception following
Guestbook
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