Karen "Carrie" Gronley Kithcart was born in Centerville and was a life time member of the Centerville Presbyterian Church. She was a Past Worthy Advisor of the Fremont Assembly of Rainbow for girls and alumni of Washington High School Class of 1939. Karen was employed by the Bank of America Centerville Branch during the 1940's. Karen married Robert "Bob" Kithcart in 1943. Karen and Bob built their home on Norris Road in the early 1950's and Karen resided there until her passing, right around the corner from her childhood family home on Fremont Boulevard where her sister, Olga Brask still resides today (2011). Karen was a member of the Country Club of Washington Township, Las Antiquelagas Club, Innerwheel of Niles/Fremont and Kindred Spirits to name a few. She loved to sing and was a member of the church choir for many years, from its beginning in the "Little White Church" in Centerville. Karen volunteered at local convalescent hospitals often singing songs to elderly residents. Her husband of 55 years, Robert, was a former president of Fremont Chamber of Commerce and manager of the Bank of America Irvington Branch. Karen loved to share her excellent memory of early Fremont with local historians and contributed information frequently.

She was proud of her Norwegian heritage including the fact that her family in Norway could trace lineage back 1,000 years in the town of Trondheim. Her grandfather was the personal aid to King Oscar of Norway. Karen was widely traveled but was most happy to be home in Fremont. She loved her family and enjoyed frequent visits from four generations of nieces and nephews of the Gronley, Brask, Alameda, Lorenz, Crowe, Kithcart and Jones clans. She will be missed.

Devoted mother to Judy and Alan. Sister of Olga Gronley Brask of Fremont. Also survived by family in Norway and 4 generations of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Robert H. Kithcart in 1999 and by her daughters Kathy K. Kithcart, and Roberta Kithcart-Strong.