Elsa Kittler

Elsa, AKA Oma, was born on July 14, 1925, the 7th of 9 children, in Leipheim, a small village in southern Germany. Her youth was spent under the heel of Nazism, which imprinted on her a deep hatred of authority and politicians. Though she wanted to be a baby nurse, she was forced to leave school at 6th grade to do farm work to help support her family. Her love of babies and children did not, however, end with her thwarted career goals. During her entire life she took her greatest joy in all babies and children, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She met Herbert, also German, after WW II while he was a soldier in the U.S. Army of Occupation. He was totally smitten with Elsa. When the army left, he remained in Germany working for U.S. Army Intelligence. They were finally able to marry in 1947, but were prevented from leaving together. So, Elsa came to the U.S. alone, 8 months pregnant, speaking no English, flying for the first time, and leaving her husband, 8 siblings, and the only very small world she knew behind. This is where her reputation as a tough survivor lady begins.

Herbert did finally join her, but not in time for the birth of their son, James. Elsa and Herbert went on to raise James and Phyllis. Elsa worked tirelessly at jobs available to immigrants with poor English and little education - housecleaning, factory work, taking care of other people’s children, and caring for the elderly. As a result, she pounded into her kids the importance of education, a lesson well learned. She also was consistently sympathetic to others in need. Despite the continuous financial challenges related to Herbert’s chronic illness, Elsa cultivated a love of museums, libraries and nature in her children, created a spotless home and beautiful garden, and enjoyed entertaining. She recounted with pride that since coming to the U.S., she had prepared 65 Thanksgiving turkey dinners and served them to a mob of guests.

After Herbert’s death, Elsa met the second love of her life, Russell Camp. They spent 30 years together – her golden age. They traveled the world and attended endless social events around Russ’s leadership roles in the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Flushing Rotary. They also shared the everyday joys and annoyances of helping raise Elsa’s grandchildren. They provided the warm, upbeat core of our family and of a large circle of friends. Weekend barbeques at Russ and Oma’s were a regular event for many.

Because of Elsa’s loyalty to those she cared about and her unusual combination of tough and gentle, throughout her life she formed close, loving bonds with those around her, including in her final years her caregivers. In the words of her granddaughter-in-law, Jennyfer: “Elsa, you almost made it to 100, but somehow it still feels like not long enough.” Oma, we will deeply miss your tough words, endless love, gentle support, and sense of humor.

Elsa is predeceased by her first husband Herbert Kittler, her son James Kittler, and her 30-year companion, Russell Camp. Elsa is survived by her daughter Phyllis (Tom), her grandchildren Jennifer (Alejandro), Sara (Rob), Alex (Jennyfer) and Devin, her great granddaughters, Amalia, Ella and Charlotte, and her brother Rudolf Beck.

A visitation for Elsa will be held Friday, December 6, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Quinn Fogarty Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elsa's memory may be made to Unicefusa; and Advocates for Children, https://advocatesforchildren.org/donate/.