Bartlett, Katherine Ann "Kitty" 1935-2012

BARTLETT, VAN VALKENBERG, LOFTHUS, ROBISON, BRYANT, CROSS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/25/2017 at 10:26:30

Katherine Ann "Kitty" Bartlett
November 23, 1935 - September 4, 2012
Obituary

Katherine Ann ("Kitty") Bartlett
Des Moines

Katherine Ann Bartlett, 76, passed away peacefully on 4 September 2012 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday 15 September 2012 at Central Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5 to 7 pm on Friday 14 September 2012 at McLaren's Chapel at Resthaven Cemetery. Private interment will be held at Resthaven Cemetery.

Kitty was born on 23 November 1935 in Decatur (Illinois) to J.R. and Margaret Van Valkenberg Holmes. Though her early childhood years were spent initially in St. Louis, the family moved to Waterloo (Iowa) in June of 1946. There, her father opened a Sinclair filling station in nearby Hudson and a subsequent Lincoln – Mercury automobile dealership. In Waterloo, she attended Whittier Elementary, West Junior High, and graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1953. In the fall of 1953, Kitty enrolled at the State University of Iowa in Iowa City where she graduated in 1957. While at the SUI, she was an enthusiastic member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. In addition, she met a Phi Psi from Bedford (Iowa) named Paul H. Bartlett, Jr. Shortly after her graduation, they married at Whiteman Air Force Base (Missouri) during his first assignment as a United States Air Force pilot. They lived in Sedalia (Missouri), Metairie (Louisiana) and Waterloo (Iowa), before ultimately relocating to Des Moines in December of 1973. Kitty was preceded in death by her husband Paul in April of 2006, after a marriage of 48 years.

Kitty always spoke fondly of her friends and roots that remained in Waterloo, however she truly enjoyed both her new friendships and rekindled college friendships that fostered in Des Moines. Kitty loved following sports, namely University of Iowa football and basketball, along with St. Louis Cardinal baseball. She was so fond of her many friends within both her informal lunch / dinner groups and also in her scheduled bridge gatherings around town. She indeed enjoyed dining in our local restaurants, in particular Jesse's, Maxie's, the Waterfront, and the Starbar. Kitty was also pleased with her participation in and more importantly her sweet friends within P.E.O. In addition, she had been a sustaining member of the Junior League and a Paul Harris Fellow as a spouse in the downtown Rotary Club of Des Moines.

Kitty dearly loved her sisters Jane and Bobbi, who she wished were both closer to the Des Moines area. She was proud of her six grandchildren and the young exciting lives they were leading. She had a particular fondness for Karmella Lofthus, who helped with the cleaning of her home on a regular basis. Kitty had a quiet, unassuming, and self – deprecating manner. We will miss her and her sweet way most dearly.

Kitty is survived by her three children, James H. Bartlett, M.D. (Kelly), Daniel P. Bartlett, D.D.S., both of Des Moines, and Pamela Robison (John) of Northbrook (Illinois); along with six grandchildren: Charlie Bartlett (Sam), John Bartlett, Carolyn Bryant (Donnie); Samantha, Kate, and Cyndi Robison. Her older sister Jane survives her in Waterloo (Iowa), while her younger sister Barbara (Bobbi) Cross resides in Mason (Ohio).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Youth Homes of Mid America in Johnston. ~ The McLaren's Chapel at Resthaven Cemetery, Des Moines 4 Sept 20