Kiriaki "Kitsa" Karousis of Warren, Ohio, fell asleep in the Lord on April 16, 2026. Kitsa was born on October 31, 1929, in the village of Egrigoros, Chios, Greece, a daughter of the late Nikolaos and Evgenia Koutepas. In her younger years, she tended the family farm and helped her grandfather, an Orthodox priest, set up services in churches in many nearby villages. In 1952, she married Panagiotis and began her family. In 1966, Kitsa and Panagiotis, now with four children, immigrated to the United States, settling in Warren. There, in addition to raising her family, she helped establish the family restaurant, as well as working in various jobs, before retiring from AVI Systems in the 1990s. She was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Warren and the Chios Society. She enjoyed growing flowers, especially roses and hydrangeas.  She cherished her family and loved cooking her excellent Greek dishes and pastries whenever family gathered. She will be greatly missed.

Kitsa is survived by three children, John (Patricia) Karousis of Cortland; Sarantis "Danny" Karousis of Warren; and Jeannie (Lawrence) Dieker of Upper Arlington; and daughter in law, Renee Zumerling of Bazetta. She has 11 grandchildren, Nicholas Karousis of Warren; Peter (Amelia) Karousis of Warren; Davis (Reanna) Karousis of Medina; Patrick (Sarah) Karousis of Columbus; Sarantis (Anna) Karousis of Lewis Center; Margretta (Nathan) Davidson of Cincinnati; Gus Dieker of Columbus; Marquella (Chase) Collier of Westerville; Olivia (Joseph) Dieker of Lakewood; Jayden Zumerling of Bazetta and Johnna Zumerling of Bazetta. She is survived also by 10 great-grandchildren, Demetri, Leo, Constantine, George, Samson, Arthur, Desmond, Stella, Sasha, and Christian; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Kitsa was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Panagiotis; her siblings, Gus (Audrey) Koutepas of Howland; Maria (Stelios) Taktikos of Melbourne, Australia; and two children, Nikolas Karousis and Kalliope Karousis.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, with Father Demetrios Gardikes officiating.

Her burial service will be the following day at Oakwood Cemetery in Warren, with Father Constantine Valantsis officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in remembrance of Kitsa to the Agape Pantry at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St NE, Warren, OH 44481.