Kitty (Carter) Wolf

The much beloved Armina Carter Wolf, known affectionately as “Kitty” or “Nana”, finished her journey on this earth the morning of February 1, 2021, just shy of her 94th birthday. She fell peacefully asleep at home, on her favorite hillside overlooking the lake. Kitty was born in Phoenix, Arizona on April 9, 1927 to Vera and Abe Carter. She is survived by her children: Mina Lynne Wolf, Lovera Wolf (David) Miller, Lana Wolf (Mark) Witbeck, William Edward (Renee Ostermiller) Wolf III, and Lisa Wolf (Scott) Smithson; grandchildren: Erin Wolf (Jim) Schroeder, Sasha Fay Miller (Kash) Franger, Brienna Ginelle Miller, Analise Wolf Witbeck, Talya Renee “Tally” Wolf, William Edward “Liam” Wolf IV, Carter William (Leah) Perry, Shaina Ginelle Perry, Trevor Wolf Perry, and Leyton Scott Wolf Smithson; and great-grandchildren: Gabriel James Schroeder, Wyatt Otto Franger, and Ryka Jane Franger.

Kitty was preceded in death by her husband: Bill; parents: Abe (Vera) Carter; daughter: Lisa Lenae Wolf; and brothers: Jim and Abe Carter.

During Kitty's high school years, she transferred from Bloomington High School to a small Christian high school, Indiana Academy. She continued her Christian education at Andrews University in Michigan, where she met the love of her life, Bill Wolf, who was just returning from his WWII service. They were married on August 24, 1947 in Bloomington, IN and were blessed to share over 70 years together. The newlyweds then moved to California while Kitty supported her husband as he completed his medical doctorate degree from Loma Linda University.

After moving to La Porte, Kitty continued her studies at The Chicago Art Institute, Notre Dame, as well as Andrews, and received her B.A. in Art from Andrews University.

Kitty’s passion for the fine arts began at an early age and encompasses a variety of outlets; singing, dancing, fashion, writing and creating with her hands. She genuinely loved life and the ability God gave her to express herself in so many ways. She sang her way through high school and college, singing with choirs, bands and any ensemble that needed a voice. She further broadened her artistic expression by studying fashion design and modeling for the Ford Agency. This became a career she took seriously, starting a Fashion Merchandising Program at Andrews University. She started a choir at her La Porte Church, which she continued to direct for many years. She even got a taste of Broadway in New York when she was selected to be the executive assistant to Hugh Martin and helped him select and direct the cast for his hit Broadway Musical “Meet Me in St. Louis”.

During all these years and various artistic expressions Kitty never stopped creating art with her hands. Kitty became a prolific artist, expressing herself through a multitude of mediums. Whether on canvas, china, porcelain, carved in limestone or poured in bronze; she aims to portray life in a way that people feel an identity with, a response to, and an involvement in, her interpretation. Her work is a reflection of her love for life and God’s creations. Her sculptures and paintings are in private collections, libraries, hospitals, museums, churches, schools and corporations.

In addition to Kitty’s artistic contributions, she has also been a cornerstone of the La Porte Seventh Day Adventist Church, holding numerous leadership positions. She also found time to serve in many volunteer service organizations, such as La Porte Service League, the hospital auxiliary board, Questors and Poetry Club.

Kitty was passionate about her faith, her church, her community and her family. If you knew her, you knew she saw the world through her very own “rose colored glasses”, always finding the good, finding the positive, and finding the energy to get things done. This boundless energy led her and her late husband to co-found the hugely successful “Arts in the Park” organization in La Porte County, offering free family oriented musical concerts, art exhibits, poetry, and many other expressions of the arts at Fox Park each summer since 2000.  She also founded “The Art Walk” which takes place every fall in La Porte County as part of the "Sunflower Festival”.

A Public Celebration of Life Memorial Visitation will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.  The family will gather for a Private Family Celebration of Life Memorial Service following the visitation.

Due to the recent Governor's Order, anyone attending the visitation and/or service is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing of six feet.

Memorial gifts can be made to Arts in the Park Endowment Fund via Unity Foundation of La Porte County or to La Porte Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Please mail memorial gifts in c/o Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2900 Monroe St., La Porte, IN 46350.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.