Ellen Elizabeth Kittendorf

Ellen Elizabeth Kittendorf, 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025 while in residence at The Bloomfield assisted care community in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
She is predeceased by her husband, Roland (Rol), and sister, Margaret. She is survived by her step-children, David, Kathy and Kristen and nephews, Fritz and Paul.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin to the late Berlyn and Marion Oestreich, Ellen was raised with strong faith and a commitment to service in her community. Following graduation from Stephens College in 1969, Ellen spent the summer working for Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) in southeastern Missouri. Returning to Madison, she worked in various capacities with local banks, and then moved to Detroit to work for General Motors, where she had a 31-year career.
Ellen loved to travel, and it was through these experiences she met the love of her life, Rol. Married in 1985, Ellen and Rol made their lives together in Bloomfield Hills, continuing to travel across the world, often through Rol's volunteer work with The Community House in Birmingham, Michigan.
Following Rol's death in 2013, Ellen worked part-time for Bloomfield Hills City Hall. As a long-standing member of Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, she gave her time, energy and talents to its congregation and those it served in a myriad of ways. In addition to being a Deacon, she served as an Elder, helping to support communion and organizing memorial teas for deceased members. She volunteered at the church's Welcome Center, as well as with the Accent Pontiac program, which helped teach music in Pontiac's elementary schools. Ellen was one of the founding members of the Kirk's "Trinity Stitchers", a group who knitted blankets for church members in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as babies baptized at the church.
When she could no longer live at home, Ellen took up ultimate residence at The Bloomfield assisted living community, where she continued to embrace life with grace, courage, and her unfailing sense of humor.
A service for Ellen will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, February 21, at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, 1340 W Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, Michigan 48302. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in memory of Ellen to Kirk in the Hills or a charity of choice.