LEWISBURG - Helen Irene Kurtz, 96, formerly of Thompsontown and McAlisterville, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Riverwoods, Lewisburg, where she had resided for the past 13 months.
She was born April 10, 1916, in Tuscarora Township, Juniata County, a daughter of the late Ulysses and Minnie (Wise) Smith.
Helen was a 1934 graduate of Port Royal High School, and was Valedictorian of her class.
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Helen Irene Kurtz
On December 24, 1954, she married Simpson H. Kurtz, who preceded her in death August 31, 1956.
During her lifetime she was a homemaker and worked at various sewing factories including Port Royal and East Salem.
Helen was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church, East Salem. She enjoyed collecting salt and pepper shakers, sewing, planting and caring for her vegetable and flower gardens.
Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, which includes: daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Darwin Zook, and granddaughter, Amanda Zook, all of Sunbury; daughter, Linda Bivens, of Harrisburg, and grandsons, Dennis Bivens, of Grantville, and Larry Bivens, N.C.; great-granddaughter, Jessica Bivens; and nieces and nephews, of whom she was very fond.
She was the last surviving member of her generation, having been predeceased by her siblings, Harry Smith, Mary Smith, Margaretta McClure, and James Smith.
A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville, where a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Joseph Yorks officiating. Interment will follow at the Locust Run Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Helen's name may be made to Otterbein UMC, 7398 Route 235, Mifflintown, PA, 17059 or to Riverwoods, Attn: Riverwoods Auxiliary Employee Holiday Fund, 3201 River Rd., Lewisburg, PA 17837.
For online condolences and tributes, please visit www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
