Catherine Elizabeth Kurzenknabe Owen November 2, 1920 - November 23, 2012. She was born in Harrisburg on the day women were granted the right to vote. She grew up in Harrisburg and enjoyed spending her summers in Millheim from the age of 10. She graduated from William Penn's High School in 1938. As quoted in her yearbook, "although occupied in many activities," "Katy" found enough time while at Penn, to obtain an honors standing. She is one of the few Latin survivors, and swings a mean foot in tap club. As an adult, she achieved a degree as a registered nurse from the University of Maryland, where she was active in the Sigma Kappa Sorority; was a proud Daughter of the American Revolution; married her childhood friend, with whom she had six children; and became active in the League of Women Voters in Mich. During her years attending her Lutheran Church in Trenton, Mich., she became active as a choir director, Sunday School teacher, and was a founding member of the congregation. After moving to Millheim, she attended St. John Lutheran Church, which her grandfather co-founded, to continue growing in her faith. Throughout her life, she enjoyed quilting, winning at Scrabble, finding four-leaf clovers, traveling, and reading.taught her children by example with love and encouragement. She taught her grandchildren to be respectful, yet encouraged them to always enjoy games and eat ice cream. Millheim was not only a place to spend summers for Catherine, it was a place to make memories, build dams, read books in trees, take naps in hammocks, and to just "be". She died peacefully in her Millheim home, surrounded by loved ones. She was loved and is survived by her husband, Russell, of 69 years; six children, Jay (Patricia) Owen, Richard (Joni) Owen, Connie (Mike) Brady, Dennis (Donna) Owen, Marian Owen, and Cathy (Keith) Barton; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Catherine is missed greatly, but her memories will go on tomorrow "After all, it is another day." A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church in Millheim with Rev. Julia Sprenkle officiating. Contributions in memory of Catherine may be given to St. John Lutheran Church, PO Box 439, Millheim, PA 16854. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevenrnefffuneralhome.com.

Published in Centre Daily Times (State College, PA) on November 24, 2012