Katherine "Kitty" Joann Lovitt

She is survived by her husband, Bob, and her three daughters from a previous marriage: Jennifer (Doug) Rader, Betsy (Rex) Cole, and Katie (Kyle) Brumfield. She left behind eight adored grandchildren: Sarah, Kourtney, Lauren, Kaylee, Kody, Karson, Kylie, and Kade – and five young great grandchildren: Ellison, Leighton, CJ, Rennley, and Luke. She is also survived by her brother, Steve Carlson.

Kitty was born Katherine Joanne Carlson on December 8, 1943 to Robert and Barbara Carlson in Granite Falls, Minnesota. She grew up there, enjoying a happy childhood in a quaint midwestern town. In high school she was active in the band, choir, theater arts, was in the photo club, worked on her annual staff and was an officer in several clubs as well as being a class officer. She graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1961.

After high school, she enrolled in Gustavas Adolphus College. While a student there, she married Clarence Dean Maus – before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1966. Kitty worked in the medical field most of her adult life – with positions that included Registered Nurse, Nursing Instructor, Clinic Director at North Texas State University (where she received her Master’s Degree), and Nurse Practitioner.

Kitty and Clarence spent a couple years with their three young daughters in Minnesota before work took them from Texas to Oklahoma and ultimately back to Texas where they remained until their girls all graduated high school and college.

After visiting her mother Barbara Carlson here in Sunland Village a number of times, and then wintering here herself for a number of years, she bought a home here in 2003. Kitty was quick to get involved in…just about everything. Her passion for physical activity included tennis, golf, hiking, and recently pickleball. She served the community here in numerous ways, including as a member of the Sunland Village Board of Directors and with the Sunland Village Foundation. She also volunteered… all the time. She loved serving at the pancake breakfasts, the ice cream socials, and helping with Bingo here in the Village. She also ushered regularly at the Mesa Arts Center. Kitty’s faith was very important to her and she was an active member at Victory Lutheran Church too.

Kitty had a zest for life that was contagious. She had many, many friends in her Sunland community. Her friends and family will be putting together a celebration of life gathering for her – date TBD – this fall.

Details for that gathering will be communicated closer to that time. While no flowers are needed now, the family would be delighted if those that are interested in sending flowers would consider doing so for the celebration in the fall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Lovitt family.