Jeannette Kitch
Obituary
Jeannette Lorraine Knapp Kitch passed
away Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, in North Newton and was a resident of the
Kidron Bethel Retirement Community. She was born Jan. 26, 1918 to
Homer and Mary Knapp in Rocky Ford, Colo. Jeannette enjoyed working,
playing and growing up on the family farm. Upon graduation from Rocky
Ford High School, Jeannette enrolled in her parents' alma mater,
Colorado State College of Agriculture & Mechanical Arts (now
Colorado State University), in Fort Collins, Colo. Jeannette was
active in campus activities and in her senior year she was elected as
President of the Associated Women students. During her term of office
she laid the cornerstone of the first women's dormitory built on
campus. She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She graduated in
1940 as a Pacemaker from Colorado A&M with a teaching degree in
home economics and taught in Wray, Colo.
Jeannette married Paul Kitch on May 18,
1941 at the First United Methodist Church of Rocky Ford. She was an
active member of the Rocky Ford First United Methodist Church,
serving as United Methodist Women's President, Church Circle Leader,
Sunday school teacher and sponsor of Junior High Youth, and as the
Junior Leader of the Rocky Mountain United Methodist Conference.
Jeannette was a charter member of
Colorado P.E.O. Chapter EU in which she served as president. In 1992,
she received her 50-year membership pin. She also served a three-year
term on the Colorado State P.E.O. Finance Committee.
Jeannette was also actively involved in
her children's activities and served as a 4-H Leader, 4-H Judge at
county fairs, Local P.T.A. President and Program Chairman for
Colorado State P.T.A.
Jeannette and Paul celebrated 51 years
of married life and enjoyed many special times in traveling abroad,
square dancing, playing bridge and entertaining family and friends in
their country home. Paul died after a fatal heart attack on March 13,
1992. In 1995, Jeannette moved to North Newton and became a resident
of Kidron Bethel Retirement Village. Jeannette remained active in
Newton First United Methodist Church, a member of P.E.O. Chapter AG,
Kidron Bethel Women's Auxiliary, several bridge groups and continued
to enjoy traveling.
Survivors include: daughter and
son-in-law, Kay and David Ediger of Newton; son and daughter-in-law,
David and Terri Kitch, of Rocky Ford, Colo.; sister, Joyce Sherwood
of Walnut Creek, Calif.; sister-in-law, Eleanor Knapp of Rocky Ford,
Colo. and many nieces and nephews. Grandchildren include: Mark and
Akiko Roe of Naperville, Ill.; Alyssa and Byron Rupp of Andover;
Jared and Suanne Ediger of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Clint and
Stephanie Calli of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Cody Kitch of Rocky
Ford, Colo. Great grandchildren are: Alexander and Jennifer Roe;
Braden, Keaton and Adalyn Rupp; Miles and Kelsey Ediger and Carter
Calli.
Jeannette was preceded in death by her
parents, husband, daughter Paula Roe, sister and brother-in-law Grace
and Lew Wendel and brother Alden Knapp.
A private family burial will be held at
Rocky Ford Hillcrest Cemetery and a celebration of Jeannette's life
will be held at the Rocky Ford United Methodist Church on Saturday,
Feb. 27, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be given to the Rocky Ford
United Methodist Church or Newton First United Methodist Church in
care of Peterson's Funeral Home.
