Shirley "Ann" Kvitle

Shirley “Ann” Kvitle, 86, formerly of Lincoln, IL passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 in Peoria, IL with her daughters by her side. She was born in Lawrence, KS on January 4, 1935 to Charles F. Dennis and Mildred Alene (Twyman) Dennis. She married M. David Kvitle in 1956 and later married Shuwei Bi in 1994.

She lived in her beloved town of Lincoln, IL for 50 years, and Ann was active in the First Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder, deacon, and Sunday School teacher. She was the charter president of the Lincoln Junior Woman’s Club, and served on the Board of Directors of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. She was integral to the management and success of Wes-Lyn Animal Clinic. She was a substitute teacher and tutored grade school children.

She graduated from Kansas State University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She also became a certified K-9 teacher through the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Ann is survived by her husband “Bi”, and her daughters Dr. Kim Mitchell, Dunlap, IL, Karen (Ross) Giesler, Metamora, IL, and Kristie (Neil) Goedhard, Renton, WA. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Barb Kvitle of Quincy, IL and step-children Keduan Bi of China and Keshu Bi of Singapore. Her brother Charles (Chuck) Dennis; ten grandchildren, Tom Mitchell, Sarah (Kevin) Flannery, Jason (Courtney) Kvitle, Emily (Chris) Peters, Hannah (Tessa) McLinden, Martin (Jordan) Kvitle, Gretchen (Jonas) Scott, Alex Giesler, Ava and Lars Goedhard; five great-grandchildren; and one step-granddaughter also survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Dr. Kirk Kvitle, son-in-law Stephen Mitchell, and sister Linda Dennis.

Ann loved her family and was devoted to them. She coordinated and supported all four of her active children’s sports, clubs, camps and educational pursuits. She was an avid Lincoln Railsplitter and college basketball fan. She “didn’t know a stranger” and was a loyal friend to many. Throughout her life, she enjoyed cooking, hosting dinner parties, gardening, traveling, supporting the arts, and volunteering in her community.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the staff at Apostolic Christian Skylines for their kind and dedicated care.

A celebration of her life will be held at Mason Funeral Home in Germantown Hills, IL on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 3:00 pm with sharing of memories at 3:30 pm. COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Memorials may be made to either of the organizations that touched her heart, the Special Olympics, 605 East Willow Street, Normal, IL 61761 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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