Katherine L. Gott, lovingly known to all as "Kitty" passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30 at the age of 87 at Assisted Living at Yellow Bank.

Born on October 3, 1938, Kitty was the fourth of five daughters of William and Elsie (McKenny) Bowen Degenhard. She was raised on the family tobacco farm on Lower Marlboro Road in Owings, Maryland, alongside her two surviving sisters, Shirley Emrick and Millie Liermann. Life on the farm was rooted in hard work, faith, and family. After her parents divorced when she was eight years old, her mother remarried George Degenhard, and together the family continued working long days raising tobacco, rabbits and chickens while tending a plentiful vegetable garden. Those early years shaped Kitty's strong work ethic, resilience, and deep appreciation for simple joys and family connections.

Kitty graduated from Calvert High School in 1956, where she was recognized among the top students in her class. During her high school years, she shared a special love with her boyfriend and fiancé Bobby Hutchins. Their future together was tragically cut shore when Bobby was killed in a car accident in Pensacola, Florida while serving in the United States Navy. Though heartbroken by this sudden loss, Kitty continued forward with courage and determination, working full time while helping on the family farm.

In the latter part of 1956, through the invitation of a co-worker, Kitty agreed to go on a blind double date-a decision that would forever change her life. It was there that she met William "Bootsy" Gott, the love of her life. The two were married October 19, 1957, beginning a beautiful marriage marked by devotion, partnership, and enduring love. Together, Bootsy and Kitty made their first home in a mobile trailer in Owings, a season of life Kitty remembered with great fondness. She treasured visiting her family on the farm, gathering with the Gott family on Sundays, tending her flowers, and simply spending time with Bootsy. In August 1959, Debbie was born and the three of them lived in the mobile trailer in Owings. Early in 1964, the three of them moved into the Gott family home to help care for Bootsy mother, Iola. Five months after Iola passed away, Andy was born. The family of four was complete and lived there until the summer of 1977 when Bootsy, Kitty and Andy made the move to Arizona.

Arizona brought Kitty many happy years filled with adventure and opportunity. She worked in administrative positions for various companies until retiring in 2000. Retirement allowed her to fully enjoy the things she loved most-time with family and friends, traveling throughout the Southwest and West Coast with Bootsy, gardening, and browsing for treasures through online shopping. In 2012, Kitty and Bootsy returned home to Calvert County, settling in Prince Frederick, where they enjoyed their later years together.

Above all else, Kitty's greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished Mom-Mom, and proud great-grandmother whose wisdom, humor, and steady presence touched generations. Her home was always a place of warmth, conversation, and love.

Kitty is survived by her devoted husband, William A. "Bootsy" Gott; her daughter Deborah F. Gott Weber and husband Karl of Prince Frederick, Maryland; and her son Andrew W. Gott and wife Brenda of Lancaster, California. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Travis Weber, Joshua Weber, Justin Gott, Aimee Gott Rohr, and Caleb Gott and their spouses Renee, Lisa, Saba, Jeffrey and Sofia-all of whom dearly loved their Mom-Mom. She additionally leave behind seven treasured great-grandchildren: Calvin Weber, Adalia Weber, Ruby Weber, Taj Weber, Erica Rohr, Leah Rohr, and Rumi Gott. She is also survived by sisters, Shirley Emrick and Millie Liermann, along with many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her spirit and passion for living life to the fullest.

Kitty was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Ann and Audrey, both of whom died at a young age and two step brothers, Richard and Paul Degenhard.

Kitty lived a life of perseverance, loyalty, strength, and unwavering love for those around her. Her legacy will live on in the lives she nurtured, the family she cherished, and the countless memories shared by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kitty's name can be made to Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry at PO Box 1384, Huntingtown, MD 20639.

The services for Kitty will be livestreamed on the Rausch Funeral Home Facebook page and can be accessed by using the following link. http://www.facebook.com/RauschFH


Visitation

Friday, May 8, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Rausch Funeral Home-Owings
8325 Mt. Harmony Lane Owings, MD 20736

Services

Friday, May 8, 2026
12:00 PM
Rausch Funeral Home-Owings
8325 Mt. Harmony Lane Owings, MD 20736

Interment

Southern Memorial Gardens
10155 Ward Road Dunkirk, MD 20754