Katherine "Kitty" Heck Krieg

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Katherine “Kitty” Heck Krieg, Ph.D.,native of Lafayette and raised in Thibodaux, LA, who departed this life on November 20, 2025 in her home at the age of 73.

Kitty was cherished for her warmth, kindness, and generosity which touched all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her father Herman Andrew Heck, Sr., and her mother Barbara (Sanchez) Heck, as well as a brother Albert “Sandy” Heck. She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Robert John Krieg, her children Brandon John Krieg, Emily Claire Krieg Daho, and Virginia “Ginger” Krieg, and six grandchildren; Violet Krieg, Meadow Krieg, Thomas Daho, Catherine Daho, Olivia Daho, and Carter Krieg. Kitty is also survived by seven brothers and sisters, Dr. Herman Andrew “Andy” Heck, Frederick “Ricky” Heck, Barbara “Bambi” Heck Guthrie, Dr. Michael “Mickey” Heck, Rosalind Heck Waguespack Grant, Dr. Madeleine “Midge” Heck, and Mary Heck Barrios, Esq. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Born on April 11, 1952, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Kitty grew up surrounded by the love of family and friends. A graduate of Thibodaux High School, she attended Nicholls State University where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She transferred to the Louisiana State University at New Orleans to be accepted later to the University of Alabama, School of Physical Therapy, in Birmingham. She developed a lifelong passion for learning, community service, helping others and loved singing with the St. George Catholic Church 11:30 choir for many years.

Throughout Kitty’s distinguished career as a caring and compassionate wife, mother, physical therapist, and educator. she was known for her dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence, beginning with her work in home health, later working at the old mid-town Baton Rouge General burn unit as well as at its annex rehab center. She went on to specialize in working with children at the Baton Rouge Early Intervention Center for High-Risk Infants and was later accepted for a year-long fellowship with the United Cerebral Palsy Clinic of New York City. Shortly after returning to Baton Rouge, she began working with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Hospital and in 1996 applied to Our Lady of the Lake College (now the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University) to establish the Physical Therapy Assistants Program, and becoming its first program director.

Kitty later became the Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences and Health Professions. She pursued and received a master’s degree from LSUNO in Health Sciences and a Doctorate in Education Technology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, all the while volunteering her services with the national committee on accreditations for physical therapy. In 2015 she proposed the addition of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and assisted with the programs accreditation effort before retiring from the university in 2018.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a funeral mass at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, at St. George Catholic Church, on Siegen Lane in Baton Rouge. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Kitty’s life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Scholarships for Students Fund at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, (225)526-1700, or Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, 225-765-8872, or the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, https://brfoodbank.org, reflecting Katherine Krieg's enduring commitment to helping to serve others.

The family cannot put into words their appreciation to all the staff working for the Hospice and Palliative Care of Baton Rouge, with a special thanks to Ms. Christie, her aid, who made such a comforting impact for Kitty and her family care givers during her final days.

Kitty’s memory will live on in the hearts of all whose lives were touched by her presence.

May she rest in peace.