Katherine Redmond Rizza

Katherine Redmond "Kitty" Rizza, 90, retired homemaker, died Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Halstead, Kansas. She was born on November 18, 1930 in Savannah, Georgia, the daughter of Clyde Evans Redmond and Katherine Mizell Smith.

Mrs. Rizza was a graduate of Savannah High School and attended Armstrong College.

She married her college sweetheart, Robert G. Rizza, MD on January 29, 1956 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Savannah. After completing his residency in the US Navy, they were stationed in Virginia, California and Japan before moving once again to Virginia. Upon leaving the Navy in 1965, the family headed to Halstead, Kansas where Dr. Rizza accepted a position as Chief of Pediatrics at the Hertzler Clinic. Kitty and Bob lived in Halstead where they reared their family until his retirement in the early 1990's. They enjoyed living at Beaver Lake in NW Arkansas for fourteen years until their health facilitated a move back to Kansas to be closer to family.

Mrs. Rizza was preceded in death by her both of her parents and her husband. She is survived by her daughter Katy Coy (Bill) of Wichita, Kansas, sons Steve Rizza (Sarah) of Halstead, Kansas, Andy Rizza (Beth) of Georgetown, Texas and Jeremy Rizza (Chris) of Kansas City, Missouri, sister Jacquelyn Osbourne, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina as well as grandchildren Shawn Rizza (Pam) and Grace Kucza (Mark) of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Luke Rizza (Jess) Colorado Springs, Colorado, Alan Rizza and Will Rizza, Manhattan, Kansas and Olivia Rizza, Halstead, Kansas. Kitty is also survived by great-grand daughters Kate and Harper Rizza of Ft. Collins, Colorado, nephew Michael Osbourne of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina and niece Ann Shumaker of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

A Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial were held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Spexarth and concelebrated by Rev. Nicholaus L. Jurgensmeyer and Rev. Jason Borkenhagen.

Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2021 at The Catholic Cemetery, Savannah, GA.  

Memorials have been established with Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas and with the Springdale Art Center in Halstead, Kansas.