Charlotte Marie Kitzman
Charlotte Marie Kitzman
Charlotte Marie Kitzman
October 14, 1931 – November 21, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 85
Charlotte Kitzman, 85, of Oskaloosa passed away Monday, November 21, 2016, at the MHP Hospice Services Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Charlotte Marie Kitzman was born on October 14, 1931, in Davenport, Iowa to Ole and Antonea (Johnsen) Iversen. She was the sixth of seven children; she had five sisters and one brother.
Charlotte was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport and talked fondly of her friends and church activities as a teenager. She graduated from Davenport High School in 1949 and worked at the Annie Wittenmeyer Home as a bookkeeper.
Charlotte met John W. Kitzman, originally from What Cheer, IA, when he rented an apartment across the street from the Iversen home. The two were married on December 22, 1951, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. John and Charlotte were parents of two sons: John William Kitzman II (Jack) and Steven Scott Kitzman.
Charlotte and John made their home in Davenport until John was drafted and entered the Army in 1953. Upon his discharge, the couple returned to south-central Iowa, where they farmed near Barnes City, Delta, Lancaster, and in the Sigourney area. The couple celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2001, and in 2003 they built a home in Oskaloosa, where they retired.
Charlotte and John were active members of Hope Lutheran Church in Sigourney, and they were instrumental in building the church there. Prior to that, they were members of the Hedrick Lutheran church. Over the years, Charlotte served as church treasurer, taught Sunday School, led Luther League, sang in the choir and served in various other capacities, particularly enjoying women’s groups and activities. Most recently, she and John were members of St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa. Charlotte’s faith was always the center of her life.
Flowers and flower arranging were a favorite pastime for Charlotte—her flower beds were especially lovely and well-tended, and her arrangements at church, for weddings and as gifts were exquisite. She worked for a period of time at a flower shop in Sigourney.
Keeping up with their grandchildren’s school, athletic and music activities was a major pastime for John and Charlotte. The couple also enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe.
Charlotte is survived by her sons: Jack (& Pat Joachim) Kitzman of Oskaloosa, IA, and Steve (& Jennifer) Kitzman of Gilman, IA.; and her beloved grandchildren: Alissa Kitzman of Fairfield, IA; Katie Kitzman Schutjer(& Derek Schutjer) of Wesley, IA; Tyler Kitzman of Dover, DE, Jessica Kitzman of Clifton, NJ; and Blane Kitzman of Gilman, IA.
In addition to her parents, Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband John, in 2009; her siblings: Laurense Knack, Christine Nickerson, Andrea Watkins, Anna Allen, John Iversen, and Maxine Buttrick.
Prior to their deaths, Charlotte took special care of her sisters, Christine and Andrea.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 25, 2016, at Hope Lutheran Church in Sigourney with Rev. Richard Meyer and Rev. Sam Beltz officiating.
Burial will be in Garrett Cemetery in Keokuk County.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 3-6 p.m. to greet visitors.
Memorials may be made to Hope Lutheran Church (Sigourney), St. John Lutheran Church (Oskaloosa), MHP Serenity House (Oskaloosa), or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online guestbook at gvlfuneralchapel.com.
