Kathleen Ann Litton (née Tuinstra), 77, of Bella Vista and Rogers, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026, following a brief illness. Kathleen was born on March 7, 1949, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Dick and Luella Tuinstra. Raised on the family farm, she graduated from Pipestone High School in 1967.

Kathleen's early adult life brought children and work at Good Sam in Pipestone, before moving to Newton, Kansas.  In Newton, Kathleen began her first career working for State Farm Insurance. In 1978, she returned to southwest Minnesota and continued to work for State Farm in Worthington, Minnesota. In 1981, Kathleen moved to Wichita, Kansas, while continuing to work for State Farm and married Daryl Litton on May 26, 1981.

While balancing her insurance career, Kathleen attended Wichita State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1988. She then embarked on a second fulfilling 25-year career as a software engineer for Lockheed Martin (formerly Martin Marietta).

Following retirement, Kathleen and Daryl moved to Bella Vista to enjoy a slower pace of life. Kathleen found joy in arts and crafts, making jewelry, gardening, bird watching, and feeding the local birds.  Together, Kathleen and Daryl traveled extensively around the United States and Canada in their recreational vehicle, cultivating many lasting friendships along the way. Kathleen's favorite destination was Port Aransas, Texas, where she became an avid seashell collector and crafter.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Luella Tuinstra; her husband, Daryl; her brothers, Edward Tuinstra and Rodney Tuinstra; and her niece, Sharon Tuinstra.

She is survived by her children, Donavan (Shannon) Nelson of Erie, Colorado, and Jeanette (Keith) Chapman of Bella Vista, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Zachary (Cynthia) Nelson of Erie, Colorado, Amanda Nelson of Lafayette, Colorado, and Rachel Murphy of Joplin, Missouri; her great-granddaughter, Evelyn Hailey Nelson; her sister, Lynda Muller of Brookings, South Dakota; her brothers, Dean Tuinstra of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Elijah Kots (formerly Norman Tuinstra) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; as well as sisters-in-law, Margaret Tuinstra of Jasper, Minnesota, and Barbara Tuinstra of Flagstaff, Arizona.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 1:30 PM at Primrose Retirement Community of Rogers, 650 Dodson Rd., Rogers, AR 72758 in the Primrose Chapel (2nd floor), followed by coffee and cookies in the Primrose Dining Room.

In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider a donation in Kathleen's name to the Circle of Life Hospice (https://www.circleoflifecare.org/donate) or the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org).