Kevin Earl Totzke

Kevin Earl Totzke (“KT,” as he was known to many), was born January 30, 1955, in St. Joseph, Michigan, and left this world unexpectedly October 19, 2023, at his home in Lafayette, Colorado.

He began his education at Christ Lutheran Church and School, and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1973, in St. Joseph Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Jeanette Totzke, and survived by his brother, Keith Totzke (Diane), of Port Orchard, Washington, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

After graduating from Michigan State University and teaching special education for two years in St. Joseph, Kevin headed west in 1980 for Colorado. There, he started his business, Glassmaster Window Cleaning, that he owned and operated until his death. He was known and loved by half of Boulder County. But window cleaning wasn’t just business to him. It meant loving every client he had. He made most of them into friends, and he took care of many. Some just needed a gentle listening ear or a good laugh and a chat; others needed help with something that had nothing to do with windows that they were not able to do themselves. Kevin always pitched in for anyone who needed him. After the Marshall fire, he delicately sifted through the rubble and ashes of his friends’ destroyed property. Lesley and Lisa couldn’t be onsite as much as they wanted, so Kevin took over in his hazmat suit and respirator, lovingly scouring for any treasures he could find that weren’t completely lost by the fire. This was just who he was. Pickles! Hot sauce! Salsa! If you knew Kevin, you also knew his love of canning pickles, salsas, and hot sauces—and so many other culinary delights. His hot sauce collection is legendary. Cooking, canning, and gardening were his favorite hobbies. He was always experimenting with different dishes and asking friends to come over and help during canning season. If you helped, it wasn’t so much helping as it was having a blast with a good friend who was a master in the kitchen and the garden. Laughter, good food, and friendship; three of Kevin’s favorite things. Many tried to convince him to “go pro” with his culinary creations, but he mostly preferred to just give his masterpieces away to customers and friends. The greatest loves of Kevin’s life were his animals, those who were with him when he left this world and those gone long ago. His heart was mostly made of fur and paw prints.

He left behind Norma, Howard, and Sweetpea, and they are lovingly in the permanent care of two of his very dear friends. Kevin and his brother, Keith, didn’t get to spend as much time together in person over the years as they would have liked, but that wasn’t for a lack of love. Kevin proudly told many stories to his friends of his Navy brother. The USS John C. Stennis hosted a tiger cruise while returning from a 2003 deployment, and Kevin spent a memorable week with Keith, sailing from Hawaii to San Diego, California, exploring every inch of the ship together.  Anyone who knew Kevin knew the love he had for his brother. He was hoping to buy a van someday soon and travel the country to see his family and other dear friends who lived far away.

Kevin had an especially close connection with “the gang,” a group of close-knit friends he’d known for 40 years. There were many great times around the fire pit just shooting the breeze and telling the same tales that were just as funny as the first time they were told of motorcycle trips, camping trips, “Friendsgiving” every year for decades, and plenty of summer and birthday parties together. They were more family than friends. He and his Friendsgiving gravy and pickles will be forever missed. Kevin had a way of making everyone he knew feel special and loved—his laughter and smile were infectious and his stories legendary. The hole left by his passing is immeasurable.

A celebration of life will be held in Lafayette, Colorado, in the spring, when traveling and weather are better. Sign up on the memorial site at https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/KevinTotzke/ to provide your own stories and pictures and receive updates of the event details.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kevin Earl Totzke, please visit our floral store.