Kathleen "Kitty" Gail Reichert

Kathleen “Kitty” Gail Reichert, 79, passed away August 2, 2024 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Community. A graveside service will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Resthaven Cemetery, 801 19th St. in West Des Moines, IA. A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. at West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, IA and family will greet friends following the celebration with food and fellowship.

Kitty was born in Des Moines, IA on October 19, 1944 to Alice Mae (True) and Darwin Howe. She graduated from Valley High School in 1962. She married Keith Reichert on July 7, 1963 at West Des Moines Christian Church where she was a lifelong member. The couple was blessed with four daughters.

Always all in with anything she did, Kitty was a wonderful mother and grandmother and her life centered around her family. She dressed for every occasion - whether it was a flower in her hair for the grandchildren to pick her out of the crowd at their events, wearing her Christmas cherished sweaters, or adorning her head with a spider bow – Kitty loved life and her family. She delighted in setting up her annual Bingo game and hiding the golden Easter egg for the grandchildren. Her favorite place to travel with family was to Colorado. Spending time with her treasured friends involved ceramics and playing cards.

This dear lady will be greatly missed by her daughters, Kellene Ridgway, Kristin (Scott) Etter, Karyn (Brad) Downing and Kimberly (Dwayne) Bailey; 12 grandchildren, Andrew (Lauren) Ridgway, Christopher (Sophia) Ridgway, Samuel (Maddy) Ridgway, Nicholas (Maddie) Etter, Abby (Spencer) Peterson, Michael (Chekona) Downing, Mason (Shelby) Downing, Macalister (Diego) Downing, Emma (Tyler) Peffers, Sierra (Dalton) Meyer, Wyatt (Jenna) Bailey, and Gunnar (Celia) Bailey; 10 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way; goddaughter, Alison Kidder-Mostrom; sisters, Mary Lewiston and Ellen (Paul) Mostrom; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Kitty was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; her parents; sister, Mickey Miller; brothers, Stephen and David “Pete” Howe; and niece, Lorie Miller.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to West Des Moines Christian Church in Kitty’s honor. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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