Kathleen “Kitty” Rene’ Mikota, age 79, of Frankfort, MI, formerly of Roscommon, MI, was covered in love by all of her family and friends as she passed away peacefully at The Maples Benzie County Medical Care Facility in Frankfort on the early morning of June 10, 2025.
Kitty was born on January 31, 1946 in Detroit, MI. Kitty was the beloved daughter of Francis Lloyd Dickinson and Theresa Virginia Mary Wiwcharowski-Dickinson. Kitty and her younger sister grew up in a loving home in Hazel Park, MI. Kitty graduated from Hazel Park High School in 1964.
Kitty met Don Mikota after being set up on a blind date by her friend. She and Don were inseparable from the time they met. They were married September 4, 1965, and resided in Belleville, MI. Their daughter, Kimberly, was born on September 1, 1966. A favorite family memory was traveling to Ontario’s Boblo Island. Don had a boat and he would take his family out to Peche Island to go swimming. Every year, Kitty and Don celebrated their anniversary on Mackinac Island.
Kitty worked for CVS Pharmacy and when Don retired from General Motors they moved to Roscommon, MI. They enjoyed retirement, making memories with their daughter, grandchildren, friends, and the family dogs. Promoting patriotism was very important to Kitty. She was a member and past president of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, Roscommon Post 4159. Don loved to tinker in his garage and take drives. Wherever Don went, Kitty was always right there with him.
Kitty’s beloved Don passed away on June 23, 2010. Kitty stayed close to her memories in Roscommon and learned how to navigate life without Don by her side. Kitty’s daughter and son-in-law relocated to Texas for work and Kitty enjoyed her grandchildren and her sister making visits to see her. Kitty and her dog, Gizmo, enjoyed a number of road trips, one to Minneapolis to visit her best friend and another to Hazel Park to revisit her childhood home and stop at White Castle for hamburgers where she remembered fondly her father taking her out for. Kitty made several road trips to Mackinaw City, an area that held special memories for her.
In November 2021, Kitty had the opportunity to experience a new adventure in the Western U.P. or remain in the Roscommon area. Kitty and Gizmo moved to Wakefield, Michigan and lived at the top of Indianhead Mountain for a short time. Kitty’s beloved Gizmo passed away just before Christmas that year following an aggressive cancer diagnosis. Kitty began to experience mobility issues that made safety and basic independence difficult for her to maintain. Kitty spent time in rehabilitation at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, making some good friends, seemingly content to be living life from an observer’s perspective.
In May 2023, Kitty returned to Lower Michigan and became a resident of The Maples Benzie County Medical Care Facility. Kitty blossomed into living an active and vibrant life at The Maples. One staff member said, “Kitty lived large and in charge!” Kitty loved the activities and if there was anything going on, she was right there. She loved the banter and fun of being part of the group. Kitty enjoyed everything from Bingo and Bunco, to baking and painting. She especially loved to stick others with extra dice when playing the Mafia Dice game. Kitty was quick to laugh with the fun of any game, and also very competitive. Being outside on a sunny day, attending any and all parties, and just spending time with her friends were some of Kitty’s favorite places to be. She loved the outings that included shopping at Grand Traverse Mall, going to the Traverse City Fair and Traverse City Pit Spitters baseball games, casino trips, picnics at the park, taking bicycle rides around Betsie Bay with Joy 2 Ride Benzie, fishing in Elberta, and going out to the local restaurants for lunch or out for ice cream. Kitty was always in front of the line to be out and about.
Kitty was a praying woman and her faith was strong. She attended Mass almost every Sunday at The Maples. Kitty considered her life blessed, sharing love and receiving love back to the fullest extent. Kitty’s best friend, Ginny, of sixty-five years defined Kitty as a “great person who was always quick to forgive and move on.” Kitty would want to be remembered with a smile. Kitty would tell her family and friends to keep the mourning brief because her spirit is Home, living face-to-face with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reunited with all of those she loved and mourned when she was still here.
Kitty is survived by her daughter Kimberly Kuhn (Dennis) of Killeen, TX; sister Jo Dickinson of Hazel Park, MI; granddaughter Stacey Kuhn of Kalamazoo, MI; grandson Drue Kuhn of Kalamazoo, MI; granddaughter Myrissa Moore-Grant (Ricke), both who served in the US Army; and great grandsons Gunnar and Eli, all of Amarillo, TX; brother-in-law Dennis Mikota of Livonia, MI; sister-in-law Nancy Mikota of Livonia, MI; and best friend Ginny Novak of Minneapolis, MN.
Kitty was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Don; brother-in-law Ken Mikota; and sister-in-law Carol Mikota.
If one would like to make a donation in Kitty’s memory, please direct to: The Maples Benzie County Medical Care Facility Activities Department, 210 Maple Avenue, Frankfort, MI 49635.
Deep and heartfelt gratitude to Kitty’s Maples family and friends for making her last two years of life truly amazing and the most wonderful place to dance into Heaven from. A very special thank you to Munson Healthcare Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care and their partnership with The Maples Nursing staff for the compassionate care Kitty received in her final days and to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors for receiving Kitty into their care upon her death and fulfilling Kitty’s final wishes.
A celebration of Kitty’s life will take place at a later date when the family gathers together.
