Ann Fitzgerald

Ann Fitzgerald, age 92, passed away on November 11, 2025, at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City. She was born on March 27, 1933, in Caldwell, Kansas, the daughter of Clyde T. and Hettye M. (Cox) McCracken.

She started grade school in Great Bend, Kansas 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 the 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, Wisconsin where Ann worked in the American Baptist Assembly Grounds business office. In 1961 she moved to Ness City, Kansas and married Joel Fitzgerald on October 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. Ann 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 and her husband, Scott, of Lawrence and their children, Jacob (Courtney), Ethan, and Evann; her son, Joel Fitzgerald II and his wife, Judy, of Ness City and their children, Elijah, Isaiah, and Silas; "adopted" son, Irakli Mirzashvili and his wife, Tatjana, of Austin, TX and their children, Sofia, Eleanor, and Elisabeth Ann; and sister-in-law, Mary Jonette McKee of Norman, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Don McCracken and his wife, Danna; her sister, Patti Becker and her husband, Jim, and her brother-in-law, Michael McKee.

Funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ness City followed by burial in the Ness City Cemetery.

Viewing will be at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the 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