Katy (Gonzales) Klingbeil

Katy (Gonzales) Klingbeil, born October 21, 1950, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 14, 2023, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born in Albuquerque, NM to David and Betty Sutherland at Kirtland Air Force Base. Katy is survived by her three children, daughter Leticia (Nick) Karns, son Gregory Gonzales and his daughter Aubrey, and daughter Kristie Gonzales. She is also survived by her sisters Ruth (Rob) and son Corey, her sister Margie and son Christopher, and her brother Bill (Erika) and their children Stefanie, Katy, Max and Will. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Klingbeil, her parents, her youngest son Dean Gabriel, and her brothers Terry and Sam.

Katy’s father was in the Air Force and her family spent time in Germany and other bases, before settling in Southern California where Katy grew up. After attending Mt. San Antonio college, Katy married Michael Gonzales in 1971 and soon after, they welcomed four children into the family. In 1989, the family moved to Albuquerque. After graduation, her youngest son Dean joined the Navy, where he passed away in 2004. Katy was remarried to Robert Klingbeil in 2007. She was able to enjoy her retirement years with Robert, traveling and playing golf, many times with her granddaughter Aubrey in tow.

Katy spent many years volunteering for her children’s activities, in the classroom, as a Girl Scout leader, managing soccer or baseball teams, and various PTA’s. She began working for builders in new home construction in 1990, and truly enjoyed her career working for Joe Boyden, Amrep, and as a General Manager for ProHome. Before retiring, she worked for Scott Bealhen at her dream job. She would often admit that her true calling, the one job she enjoyed the most, was raising four children. Katy was blessed to be able to stay home and be involved with Ticia, Greg, Kristie, Dean, and later, the light of her life, her granddaughter Aubrey.