Burnsville – Alexander, Kittie (Sweet) passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025, at home at the age of 83.

Kittie was born in Elmira, NY on March 7, 1942.  Her father was a pilot in the US Army Air Corps. The family moved from Dayton, OH to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA to Arlington, VA to Wiesbaden Germany, (where Kittie graduated from High School), and then to McLean, VA where her father began a career with NASA.

She met Ray Alexander, her new across-the-street neighbor, in McLean, VA on December 22, 1961 at 5:15 pm.  They were both 19. Kittie and Ray dated occasionally and became pen pals for the next four years.

Kittie graduated from Syracuse University in 1965 with a degree in Home Economics, and additional studies in Special Education.  She was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority.  After college she got her first job as a Home Economics teacher in Arlington, VA.

On December 22,1965 she invited Ray, who was home for Christmas, for cocktails at her new apartment in Arlington, VA.  There was an immediate reconnection that led to frequent dates over a short period of time.  They started dating seriously right before Ray left for Vietnam in May of 1966. While he was deployed, they shared many letters back and forth.

In February of 1967, Ray called Kittie from R&R leave in Hong Kong. During the conversation, Ray asked Kittie to marry him and she said, "YES!"

Kittie and Ray were married on Saturday June 17, 1967, just three weeks after Ray returned from Vietnam. They moved to Savannah, Georgia where Ray was an Army Captain instructor in the Flight School at Hunter Army Airfield. Kittie found a teaching position in Special Education at Richard Arnold High School in Savannah.

In April 1969, Ray left the Army to become a pilot with Northwest Airlines ln Minnesota.

Their daughter, Lisa, was born on August 31,1969 – the day that Ray moved the family from Bloomington to Burnsville, Minnesota, where they would live for the next 56 years. Their son, Troy, was born on April 5,1975 and the family was complete.

Kittie taught pre-school at the Child Development and Learning Center (CDLC) at Prince of Peace Lutheran church in Burnsville, Minnesota for 19 years.  At the age of 50 she decided she wanted a new challenge and became the Learning Readiness Coordinator at the Edina Family Center for 10 years.

Upon their retirement, Kittie and Ray purchased a condo in Punta Gorda, Florida where they spent winters for over 13 years. In August of 2015 they bought a house in Punta Gorda where they lived until her death.

Kittie loved to volunteer and often became the leader of the activities for which she volunteered.  From school district referendums and PTO clubs, senior all-night parties, to starting the Burnsville Bravette Danceline Booster Club. District 191 and the ladies groups with whom she volunteered were a passion of hers.

She also volunteered on the Burnsville Foundation and co-chaired a charity ball at the Burnsville Center, for the Community Action Council, (now 360 Communities). She was an Elder at her church. She spent countless hours volunteering in her neighborhood with the Garden Club and managing the neighborhood swimming pool twice.

Kittie loved: God, her family, her many friends, gardening, boating, golfing, playing bridge, reading, traveling and watching her grandchildren's games and performances.

In 2021 Kittie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  She was able to remain at home with wonderful home care and hospice.  Many of her caregivers became like beloved family members. A special thank you to the caregivers at inHom Senior Care in Burnsville, Home Instead in Punta Gorda, Florida, and Minnesota Hospice. Also, thank you to special friends Fran Schmidt and Sharon Corbin who visited her almost daily.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Frances Sweet, In-laws Raymond and Libby Alexander; brother, Jerry, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Alexander Rimm.

Kittie is survived by: her husband, Raymond; children Lisa (Jared) Mountain, and Raymond, III AKA "Troy" (Gina) Alexander; grandchildren: Alexander and Erin Mountain; Kathryn, Vivian, Giada, Edward and Jacob Alexander; brother, William (Linda) Sweet; brothers-in-law: David (Alice) Alexander, Dr. William (Cinda) Rimm, and many other loving family members and friends.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, May 30, 2025, at White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55337.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will take place the following day at 11:00 am Saturday, May 31, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337. Inurnment at Prince of Peace Columbarium following the service. (At Kittie's request, please wear bright-colored clothing.)

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville, Minnesota; Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Punta Gorda, Florida; Burnsville Foundation: 360 Communities, Burnsville