Roselina Mitts

Roselina L. Mitts, 95, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2023 surrounded by her beloved family. Especially fitting is that she was called home on Good Friday. Lena was born July 31, 1927, along with her twin sister Roselia, who were the youngest of four daughters. Lena attended Boone Elementary School in south Kansas City and graduated from East High School. She also attended Cosmetology school, going to work with two of her sisters in their family beauty salon.

On May 5th, 1951, she married the love of her life, Harold William Mitts, Sr., at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. During their 68-year marriage they raised three children, Katherine Rose, Harold William Jr. and Maryann. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, all of whom she dearly loved. She cherished family gatherings and thoroughly enjoyed the years of traveling thousands of miles to support the basketball teams that Maryann played on and coached for many decades. She loved watching Kansas City Royals baseball, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas Jayhawks, and had a fond admiration for Patrick Mahomes.

Lena's life's vocation was wrapped around being a wife, mother, and homemaker. The care and love she had for family was always surrounded with grace and selflessness. Always concerned about the well-being of others, she never failed to end a conversation with her children or grandchildren by staying “be careful, whatever you are doing”. Her Italian strength and stubbornness were evident through the peaks and valleys of life meeting every opportunity and challenge with a non-negotiable “let’s do it” as life ebbed and flowed throughout her 95 years.

She was a faith-filled woman devoted to her Catholic faith and the Mother of Perpetual Help. Whether it was saying the Rosary, praying a devotion to Padre Pio, or saying three Hail Mary's for an immediate intention, she was a constant example of how to live out one’s Catholic faith in a selfless manner.

After raising her children, Lena spent years running a successful vending machine business and boat/RV storage business alongside her husband.

Lena is preceded in death by her husband Harold Mitts, Sr. and an infant son, mother and father (Katie and Louis Marino); two sisters Angela Hill and Marie Cacioppo, and many other in-laws, cousins, as well as aunts and uncles. Lena is survived by daughters Kathy McKee (Dennis) and Maryann, as well as her son, Harold Mitts, Jr. (Eileen). In addition, she leaves behind her grandchildren Denny McKee (Sarah), Tara Kennison (Aaron), Michael Mitts, Amy Gallagher (Clint), Kristen Sharp (Taylor), and William Mitts, along with 10 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her twin sister, Roselia (GeeDee) Hiatt and many other nieces and nephews.

On Thursday, April 13th, 2023, a visitation will begin at 10:00 am, with the Mass of Christian Burial being held at 11:00 am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Burial immediately following at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Lakemary Center, 100 Lakemary Drive, Paola, KS 66071 or Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, Attn: Ward Family Heart Center.