Trellis Kitt, age 84 of Sac City, IA, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023, at Accura HealthCare of Lake City, surrounded by her family.
Trellis Cloene Clinton was born on December 23, 1938, to parents Lyle and Edith (Ellis) Clinton at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, IA. The family lived in Denison, IA, at the time but moved several times throughout her childhood.
On August 10, 1957, Trellis married the love of her life, Cleo Kitt, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, IA. The couple lived in Early for two years before purchasing a farm in Douglas Township in Sac County where they would live and farm for forty-eight years. Trellis and Cleo also owned a cabin on the lake in Lake View, IA. They spent many summers there with their kids and made so many wonderful, lasting memories. They moved to town in 2002 after retiring. Shortly after, they bought a house on the lake in Spirit Lake, IA. They held many family gatherings in the summer there; it was a place everyone enjoyed visiting. In 2015, they sold their lake house and became full-time Sac City residents once again.
Trellis was a very talented individual. She grew up being a member of 4-H and then served as a 4-H leader during the time her children participated. She owned and operated Crafters Cottage, an old farm house north of Sac City that she and Cleo remodeled for her business. Trellis taught many crafting and painting classes out of that place during the time she had it open. She taught macramé and toll painting, and loved to knit and crochet. Trellis was an amazing seamstress and quilter. She made numerous quilts for family members throughout her lifetime. Later, she would work as a sales associate mostly on the road, for Craft World. She held this position for several years.
She wasn’t afraid of a little hard work and didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She was right alongside Cleo doing farm chores, caring for livestock, and helping in the field. She always had a large garden which meant a lot of canning every Fall and she was an amazing cook. Trellis always looked forward to cooking and baking for large family gatherings, holidays, birthdays, etc. which were usually held at their home. She treasured family time.
Trellis served as the St. Mary’s Guild President for many years and also taught CCD. Her faith was deep and that was evident. She was always very involved with her church.
Sadly, about fourteen years ago, Trellis started showing signs of dementia. While this is such a tough disease for loved ones to navigate, Cleo remained by her side as her caregiver. Rest assured, she is now in God’s beautiful paradise, the Trellis everyone knew and loved. She is now free of pain and any heartbreak she endured as she suffered from such a disease. She will be remembered as an amazing wife, mother and grandmother, who adored her whole family and cherished every moment she got to spend with them.
Trellis leaves behind her husband, Cleo Kitt of Sac City, IA; children Kraig (Sandy) Kitt of Denison, IA, Kris (Keith) Babcock of Lake View, IA, and Kevin (Julie) Kitt of Wall Lake, IA; grandchildren: Terra (Matt) Winey, Brandan (Amy) Kitt, Andrea (Jamie) Uren, Adam (Sarah) Babcock, Kyle (Hope) Babcock; Sami (Nathan) Neville, Matt (Morgan) Birt, Christopher (Grace) Conderino, Rachel Conderino, Kaleb Kitt, and Katie Kitt; great-grandchildren: Willa, Maren, and Rowan Kitt, Morgan and Maddex Winey, Dalton and Aubrey Uren, Brighton, Viola, and Ruby Babcock, Jaxin, Bennett, and Wyitt Neville, Aiden and Poppy Birt; sisters Jolene Clinton Helms of Sac City, IA, Kate (Doug) Duncan of Spencer, IA, and Mary (Dave) Suchorski of Ankeny, IA; brothers-in-law Ray (Diane) Kitt of Dedham, IA, and Jim (Aggie) Kitt of Dedham, IA; sisters-in-law Arlene Sisam of TN, Norma Krause of Carroll, IA, and Elvira Kitt of Templeton, IA; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Edith Clinton; great-granddaughter Mya Winey; infant sister Karen Clinton; brother Bill Clinton; sister Michelle Clinton; parents-in-law John and Teckla Kitt; brothers-in-law Dave Sisam, Frank Krause, and John Kitt, Jr.; and sister-in-law Bernice (Bill) McCarville.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City, IA, with Father Joe Dillinger and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Sac City. Visitation will be held the same day as the service from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the church. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Sac City has been entrusted to care for Trellis and her family.
