Ann Fitzgerald (1933-2025)
Ann Fitzgerald, age 92, passed away on Nov. 11, 2025, at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City, Kan. She was born on March 27, 1933, in Caldwell, Kan., the daughter of Clyde T. and Hettye M. (Cox) McCracken.
She started grade school in Great Bend, Kan., before her family moved to Ellsworth, where she graduated as salutatorian from Ellsworth High School in 1951. After graduation, she worked as secretary for Western Electric and then Ellsworth High School. She took several summer classes at Kansas State University, but mostly she was a self-taught bookkeeper. In 1959, shortly after her father died, she moved with her mother to Green Lake, Wis., where she worked in the American Baptist Assembly Grounds business office. In 1961 she moved to Ness City and married Joel Fitzgerald on Oct. 21, 1961.
Ann and Joel made their home in Ness City, where they raised their two children and operated the Ness City Flower Shop, Fitzgerald Furniture and Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Ann was active in all three businesses and kept the books until she retired in 2024 at the age of 90. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and GFWC Gradatim Club, both of Ness City. While her children were growing up, she led both Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on. Ann and Joel enjoyed traveling, and were able to set foot on all seven continents.
Ann is survived by her daughter, Heather Seratte (Scott), Lawrence, and their children Jacob (Courtney), Ethan and Evann; son Joel Fitzgerald II (Judy), Ness City, and their children Elijah, Isaiah and Silas; “adopted” son Irakli Mirzashvili (Tatjana), Austin, Texas, and their children, Sofia, Eleanor and Elisabeth Ann; and sister-in-law Mary Jonette McKee, Norman, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Don McCracken and his wife Danna, sister Patti Becker and husband Jim and brother-in-law Michael McKee.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ness City, followed by burial in the Ness City Cemetery.
Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Ness County Health Care Foundation and First Baptist Church.
Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.