Obituary of Mary Kathleen Steinke

Mary Kathleen “Kitty” Steinke, age 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on June 26^th, 2018 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Kitty was born to Thomas and Maggie Brannon in Spencer, West Virginia on November 27^th, 1925.

On May 11^th, 1957 Kitty met Gene, and her first thought of him was that he was a keeper. He was her first love and just five months later they would elope to Liberty, Indiana on October 26, 1957. They shared 61 amazing years of marriage filled with deep and unconditional love.

After graduating from Spencer High School, Kitty joined the Army Cadet Nurse Corp in September 1944. In college, Kitty was chosen to give the first injection of penicillin at the hospital. After completing the program, receiving her registered nurse certificate and passing state boards, she became a registered nurse with Charleston General Hospital. Six months later, she became a supervisor. Kitty sent a letter to the Veterans Hospital in Dayton, Ohio and received employment; where she spent four years, before transitioning to Ohio State University, working as both a nurse and part of the faculty teaching new student nurses. Kitty spent the rest of her 47 year nursing career with Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, working primarily in the ICU. Kitty believed that hard work and dedication were necessary bur she loved being a nurse, as it was a childhood dream accomplished.

 Kitty and Gene settled in Lake Havasu in 1995 to be closer to their daughter and granddaughter Kitty enjoyed spending time with her family, anything and everything pink, Laughlin, cooking, reading, dancing, music, and was an avid fan of the Diamond Backs. She was always the first to be up for an adventure, ready to go anywhere at any time. Kitty was an active member of the Eastern Star in Dayton, Ohio and ran the spring fashion shows. Since 1976, Kitty participated in the Harvard Medical Nurses Study.

Kitty is preceded in death by her parents; Thomas Everett and Maggie Mae Brannon and her siblings; Nancy, Glen and Rosie.

She is survived by her husband and soulmate; Gene Allen Steinke, her daughter; Sharon Anne, whom Kitty said she destroyed the mold after because she was so wonderful, her granddaughter; Sarah Jessica, and Kitty;s siblings; Arthur, Myrtle, Peggy and Carolyn.

The family would like to give thanks to Beacon of Hope Hospice for their exceptional care of Kitty with special thanks to Sandra, Kathy and Clara.

in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.