Kathleen Lytle

Our beloved wife and mother, Kathleen Ann Lytle, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of January 11, 2025, surrounded by her family and patron Saint, Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2), after a tough, six-month battle with late-stage ovarian cancer.

She was born on December 2, 1952, in Fort Dodge, IA to Harold and Gloria (Holley) Rossow and raised in a devout Lutheran family with her four siblings, Harold, Cynthia, Kristine and Stephanie (Kurt) and extended family. The family then moved to Brookings, SD in 1967 where Kathleen graduated from Brookings High School in 1971. She enjoyed many high school and church activities including speech, choir and confirmation classes. She married Robert W. Lytle on May 10, 1975, at Brookings First Assembly of God after meeting each other through Bible studies at New Life Campus Ministries. She, then graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor's in Spanish education and a minor in sociology.

In December 1982, Robert and Kathleen moved to Rochester, MN where they raised their three children, Jessica, Anna and Christian. She was active in politics, the homeschool community, ESL tutoring and handbell ringing but above all else her Christian faith. She devoutly served through music and education in both Elim and First Baptist Churches. Through the prayers of St. Photini (John 4), on Holy Pascha (Easter), April 4, 2010, she entered the Eastern Orthodox Church through the sacrament of Holy Chrismation at Sts. Kosmas and Damianos, Holy Anargyroi - Unmercenary Physicians in Rochester, MN. She was also blessed to have worshipped and found friends at St Herman's parish in Minneapolis and St. Benedict's parish in Oklahoma City while living and traveling with her daughter, Anna.

She spent the last years of her life serving her family by guiding her mother through the stages of dementia, assisting her daughter with a debilitating chronic illness and providing a wise-listening ear to her friends and children. Her devotion to her faith included time singing in the choir, serving as a hospital visitation minister, coordinating outreach ministries, hosting Sunday church meals, teaching Sunday School and providing support to elderly and disabled parishioners. Finally, she is remembered for maintaining a remarkable number of long-term friendships from all the stages of her life and faith journey. Her annual personal Christmas letters are treasured by many acquaintances.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold H. Rossow and Gloria D. Rossow, and her brother, Harold C. Rossow. She is survived by her husband, Robert Lytle, children, Jessica (Ben) McAlister (Pine Island, MN), Anna K. Lytle (Rochester, MN) and Christian R. Lytle (Boulder, CO), grandchildren Hailey and Jonathan McAlister and siblings, Cynthia (Bill) Jongeling, Kristine (Kenneth) Fiscus and Stephanie Rossow.

Visitation will be held at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, MN from 5-7 PM on Friday, January 17, 2025, ending with a Trisagion (Holy Trinity) prayer service at 7:00 PM by Fr. Nicholas Hubbard. The funeral service will be at 10 AM on Saturday, January 18 at Holy Anargyroi Orthodox Church, 703 W Center Street, Rochester, MN. The burial procession will follow immediately afterward to Oakwood East Cemetery, 3681 Viola Road NE, Rochester, MN. Lunch will be served at the Church following the burial service.

With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. May her memory be eternal!

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Lytle family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.