Obituary: Kathy Ann (Schwestka) Kitzmann

Kathy Ann (Schwestka) Kitzmann, 78, passed away on December 20, 2025, in  Modesto, California.  

Born on August 27, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, Kathy was a proud graduate of Orange High School. She furthered her education and was a licensed barber through the Iowa State Journeymen Barber Division as well as attended Hawkeye Institute of Technology. Throughout  her life, Kathy worked in the customer service industry, holding a variety of roles where she  connected with people from all walks of life.  

Kathy is lovingly remembered by her daughter Nicole "Nikki" Neri and son-in-law Jason Neri; her granddaughters Rainey Neri, Rhiana Neri, and Azure Kitzmann; and her sister Claire Mastin. She was preceded in death by her sons Trevor Kitzmann and Kirk Kitzmann; her mother Dorothy Gray; her father Donald Schwestka; and her brothers John "Jack" Schwestka,  Dean Schwestka, and Don Schwestka.  

A woman of many talents and interests, Kathy enjoyed knitting, crocheting, macrame, cross-stitching, baking, reading, playing bingo and slots, caring for her beloved cats, and hunting for treasures at local thrift and dollar stores. Before Alzheimer's/Dementia touched her life, Kathy was known for her warmth-she never met a stranger, cherished her family deeply, adored her cats, and left everyone she met with an unforgettable smile.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Majestic Moon in Waterloo, Iowa.  

May Kathy's memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.