KIEL, WI (Formerly of Racine) – Mrs. Phyllis J. Kitzmann, 89, passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Phyllis was born in Chicago on October 7, 1936, the daughter of the late Phillip and Lucille (nee Killips) Kohl.  She married her high school sweetheart, David Kitzmann, on January 26, 1957 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church.  David preceded her in death on February 4, 2004.

Her most treasured memories were of time spent with family and she loved to reminisce about her multitude of experiences as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Phyllis was also a dedicated career woman who was deeply appreciated for her contributions during her 28 year career at Massey Ferguson. As a devout Christian, she was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church and later joined the Mount Pleasant Lutheran congregation after David's passing. She attended weekly church service as long as her eyesight permitted and tuned into Sunday service broadcasts when attending wasn't possible.

Phyllis was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in various ladies' leagues, especially the Johnson Park Ladies League in Racine and the Quit Qui Oc Ladies Putter's League in Elkhart Lake. Of her many vacations with David, their trip to Hawaii was amongst her most fondly remembered experiences. After David's passing she traveled with her son to many locations, but her adventures in Mexico with Kim were some of her most cherished memories. In recent years, Phyllis participated in numerous bus trips and was always looking forward to the next adventure. A true social butterfly, she never shied away from a conversation with friends old and new. She stayed active and kept making new connections well into her eighties.

She had impressive skill in sewing and needlepointing. Seeing a sewing machine on her dining room table was part of being at Grandma's house. With that machine, she made her grandchildren blankets and clothing; at that table, she made needlepoint works of art to display in her home. She took great joy in expressing herself artistically. Her lovingly prepared meals and bountifully set tables were the center of countless holiday celebrations in her home. Her love of the culinary arts, paired with her natural curiosity, inspired her family to express themselves through that same art. Through restaurant menus, catering functions, and Kitzmann gatherings, that inspiration lives on today within her family.

Phyllis enjoyed fishing with her husband and every excuse to take in the natural world.  In fact, just before her hospitalization, she was out on a walk through her neighborhood.  More than anything though, Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of love. A true testament to her valued role as matriarch of the Kitzmann family, all eight of her great-grandchildren came to her bedside in her final days. She put her all into creating happy moments for her loved ones and never ceased in her desire to help her family. She was always there to lift them up; indeed, the Kitzmann's have lost their biggest cheerleader.

She is survived by her son, Kim (Margaret Ryan) Kitzmann; her daughter, Julie (Robert) Willoughby; her grandchildren, Joshua (Jennifer) Kitzmann, Michael (Stefanie) Kitzmann, and Drew, Brad and Kyle Willoughby; her great grandchildren, Cameron, Dakota, Jack, Bailey, Lexi, Laci, Nola, and Atticus; her sister, Judith Heisler; her sister-in-law, Shirley Bamford; as well as nieces, nephews, and many  good friends.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister-in- law Betty Phillips, and brothers-in-law, Dick Phillips, Don Heisler and Robert Bamford.

Memorials have been suggested to Bright Focus Foundation for Macular Degeneration ( https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/macular-degeneration-research/ )

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to meet at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church (1700 South Green Bay Rd in Mount Pleasant) on Monday, February 2, 2026, for a visitation from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

A service celebrating her life will take place at 11:00 AM.

To view Phyllis' service via live-stream please click on the following link https://www.youtube.com/live/dyJfZ9PHuSk?si=OMYdgm56jhukMxnR

Her interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

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