Kerri Lynn Lonnberg

A Memorial Service for Kerri Lonnberg was held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Holly School with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating.

Kerri Lynn Lonnberg was born on August 1, 1979, in Syracuse, Kansas to Ted and Linda Lonnberg of Holly, Colorado. She was welcomed to home to three excited siblings all vying for her attention and to be her favorite. Her eldest sister Becky was 9, sister Sandy, 8, and brother Jim was 5. Growing up on the farm, the majority of her time was spent outside playing in the mud and chasing kitties around. Kerri’s love of the outdoors and animals was established very early on. Her cousin, Todd would visit often, and their adventures brought about both hilarity and occasional misfortune. A broken arm playing football, and a broken nose playing baseball, we don’t recommend using a piece of concrete as a baseball.  No injury would slow Kerri down and we figured out how incredibly tough she was. There wasn’t a challenge she wasn’t up for. Doing chores and taking care of animals was hard work and she didn’t shy away from any part of it. She raised animals in 4H and FFA while going to school and cheerleading. Along with cheerleading, she played volleyball, basketball, and ran track. Both Kerri and her cousin, Todd were selected as outstanding senior athletes their graduating year of 1997. After graduating from Holly High School, Kerri's athleticism carried her through college as she played volleyball for Lamar Community College, but the most important thing she got out of LCC was her group of friends including her best friend, Shaavon. 

Kerri attended Pueblo Community College where she attained her degree in dental hygiene. As a practicing hygienist, she fell in love with her work and clients. She was so fond of her special needs clients and enjoyed working with the elderly. While working in Pueblo she found an outlet for her athletic side in the form of roller derby. It became Kerri’s passion, and she became Farm Fresh 2%. In this amazing community of people, she found a home.  As always, she strived to be the best and tried out for the derby team in Denver, and, of course, made the team. Kerri found a dental practice in Denver to support her derby life and made the move. She made more friends as she always did, and her friends became family. And if we are going to talk about family, we have to talk about her kitties. Her princess Bella. Kerri would say she rescued her from the farm, my mother would say she was stolen… I’ll let you decide. She truly did treat her like a princess, tiara and all. She couldn’t have been more proud, and Bella fit the roll to a tee, laying around, being waited on hand and paw. She found Bella’s companion Snooki, she knew Bella would be protected. I’m sure there are a few people here that may have been blessed with a “Snooki” kiss. When the time came and the heir to throne Rigby was “rescued” from the farm, a whole new adventure began. First time I’d ever seen someone walk a cat on a leash. But her love knew no bounds. There was nothing she wouldn’t do to help a friend in need. Kerri stood up for what she believed in and stood next to you to support your cause. There wasn’t anyone she wouldn’t fight for or lend a helping hand. 

Kerri was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in the spring of 2018. The treatment she took to get rid of the sarcoma was extremely harsh and took about a year to complete. Her recovery took some time, but she was able to go back to work in the dental office. But the damage done to her leg prevented her from being able to compete in derby. Kerri transitioned her love of skating to skate parks and recreational skating. Four years after her initial recovery she was informed that the chemo she took to kill the sarcoma had caused her to develop leukemia. She didn’t shy away from this fight either and dove straight into treatment. Unfortunately, the treatment didn’t work as hoped. Kerri’s fight came to an end on September 1, 2023, at the age of 44, with her mother by her side and family and friends close by. The amount of support shown by this community, the loyal support from all of her fierce friends, is a testament to the impact she had on so many lives. 

This was Kerri’s life in a small nutshell, the stories in between all of this are what really make this her life. Everyone here has one of those stories. Everyone here helps fills in all the gaps. Everyone here helps make up the story of her life.

Kerri is survived by her parents, Ted and Linda Lonnberg; siblings, Becky (Neil) Fletcher, Sandy (Mike) Nordyke, and Jim (Jennifer) Lonnberg.  Also surviving is her grandmother, Joyce Passini; eight nieces and nephews; five great nieces and nephews; aunts, uncle, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Angelo Passini; paternal grandparents, Bill and Vivien Lonnberg; and uncle, Art Lonnberg.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Denver Hospice or Lamar Area Hospice in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, CO 81052.

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