Kimberly M. Vitu

Kim was born the daughter of Robert and Karen (Schlaffer) Marshall (now Baltzer) on August 15, 1967, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Kim graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School, with the class of 1985. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1989 and was a Sigma Kappa sorority member. She married Thomas L. Vitu on June 28, 1997, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.

First and foremost, Kim was the brightest light in the lives of many people for her unashamed sharing of the Gospel and the love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Kim leaves a lasting legacy for her witness of Jesus to many that she profoundly touched with her compassionate and generous spirit. If Kim had your number, you certainly received several texts with Bible verses, devotionals, prayers and well wishes.

Kim was the light and life of her husband Tom for over 28 years. Kim brought Tom to a deeper and fuller faith walk with Jesus, and taught him the joy of serving others in their fellowship of faith community at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Rochester. Together they enjoyed reading their daily Portals of Prayer, Jesus Calling and Seek Ye First devotionals.

Kim was an award winning pharmaceutical sales rep for 9 years with Bock and Sanofi. That success was a product of her engaging personality and a genuinely authentic interest in the wellbeing of others. She gladly gave that up upon the birth of her second child in 2004 and was blessed to become the most wonderful stay at home mom for Madelyn and Kaley. In grade school, Kim was the mom who drove the girls and their classmates on every single field trip and attended every event that the girls participated in. In high school, Kim opened the Vitu household for sleep-overs for the girls’ homecomings, proms, birthdays and other special events. Beyond her acts of generosity and hospitality, Kim endlessly encouraged her daughters in pursuing their vocations and passions. She never failed to uplift and affirm Madelyn and Kaley through a simple phone call or hand-written letters. The way Kim lived out her calling inspired the girls to strive to be the best version of themselves. She truly loved and cherished those fast fleeting years of raising her daughters. And it is no surprise that Madelyn and Kaley share the same strong faith that Kim raised them with.

Kim and Tom raised their family in Rochester Hills. Kim became an active member of St. John Lutheran after the family joined the Church in 2003. She served as a substitute teacher and hosted bible studies at their home. When the girls were young, she served as a leader for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). It was one of the mentor moms at that time that convinced Kim that she would never regret sending her daughters to Lutheran Schools. She later became a mentor mom herself for younger moms in the program when the girls were older. During the construction of the new school addition at St. John, Kim worked a desk in the front atrium being the first face to welcome all who came. She affectionately and quite appropriately dubbed herself as a Concierge for Christ.

If you knew Kim, you knew that she always thought about others before herself. If she saw you doing something it was always “How can I help?” If she was invited somewhere, it was always “What can I bring?” She made countless meals to take to others in need—sure to be accompanied by a printed menu entitled “Dinner for the ___ Family” listing the courses and always signed off “With love from the Vitu’s.” She was always a listening ear to any friend that would call with their troubles, spending hours on the phone comforting and counseling them with her best Christ-centered advice.

Kim enjoyed fitness, tennis and yoga. When the girls went off to college, she started working at Lifetime Fitness in Troy on the pickle ball staff. Kim endeared herself to the staff and the players and continued her witnessing for Jesus in that position. She completed her yoga teacher training with her Lifetime Fitness yogis in 2024. She volunteered her time teaching chair yoga on zoom through Gilda’s Club and began teaching chair yoga at Bellbrook Assisted Living Center in Rochester Hills.

Kim was a fashionista with her own eclectic style. She enjoyed traveling with Tom and her family, especially their trip to Portugal together in August 2022 in celebration of Madelyn and Kaley’s high school graduations, Kim and Tom’s 25th anniversary and Kim’s 55th birthday. Camp Arcadia was near and dear to Kim’s heart, where the family spent countless summer vacations on Lake Michigan being renewed in Spirit, Mind and Body.

Kim is survived by her husband Tom Vitu; daughters Madelyn and Kaley Vitu; Mother Karen Marshall Baltzer; siblings Brad (Bridget) and Rob (Brook) Marshall; and 18 nieces and nephews. Kim was predeceased by her father Robert P. Marshall Jr.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday February 12, 2026, from 1 – 8pm with a scripture and sharing of memories service at 6pm at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 West University Drive, in downtown Rochester. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday February 14, 2026, at 11 am (10am visitation) at St. John Lutheran Church, located at 1011 University Drive, in Rochester, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kim’s honor to The Vitu Girls’ Education Fund by envelope at Pixley Funeral Home or at St. John Lutheran Church or through Venmo on this link https://account.venmo.com/u/thomasvitu1