Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Georganne Louise Kettler

Georganne Louise

KettlerGeorganne Louise Kettler, 88, of Ephrata, passed away Monday, February 11, 2013.Born to the late George and Crystal Sharp on October 8, 1924 in Colfax, Washington, Georganne graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington. After attending college in Washington, where she majored in English, she married the late Colonel William Kettler in 1950. With her husband's Air Force assignments, she was able to travel extensively, living in ­Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Topeka, Kansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, Sacramento, California, Spokane, Washington and Bangkok, Thailand before settling in the Central Pennsylvania area. Georganne, affectionately referred to as "Georgie," was a loving wife and mother who will be remembered as an avid gardener and for her rousing in-house 5 a.m. piano concerts. Georganne loved to play Bridge with her friends. Her family shared many a competitive game of Flinch and Tripoli. She enjoyed following her beloved Phillies on television and occasionally in person, highlighted by her attendance to the 1993 NLCS Championship game. An avid reader, she also enjoyed cooking. Georganne never ceased to amaze her children by quickly completing crossword puzzles, even with the most obtuse of clues. Her guilty pleasure was chocolate, with a seemingly unquenchable appetite. ­Georganne delighted in receiving and voraciously consuming box after box of chocolates and other sweet treats, Milky Way Midnights being a particular favorite. She relished listening to the latest news and accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her wit, endless encouragement and support will be missed by all.Georganne is preceded in death by her husband, Colonel William Kettler, and is survived by seven children: Kathleen Homer and her husband Jon of Lancaster, PA, Patricia Horvath and her husband Steve of Camp Hill, PA, Suzanne Zeigler and her late husband Dennis of Lancaster, PA, Gregory ­Kettler of Austin, TX, Thomas Kettler of Vienna, VA, Kevin Kettler and his wife Julie (Worley) of Austin, TX and Martha Besecker, and her husband Joseph of Lititz, PA. She is also survived by one stepson, William Kettler and his wife Cheryl of Meridian, ID, seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Barbara Polleri. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 19, from 6:30-7:00 at Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. The family will receive friends from 5:30-6:30 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Georganne?s name to the Penn Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), No Greater Sacrifice Foundation or Ephrata Manor, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, PA 17522.Georganne?s family would also like to thank the ­compassionate staff at Ephrata Manor who cared for ­Georganne in her final years.To send an online condolence, visit: SnyderFuneralHome.comCharles F. Snyder Jr.Funeral Home & Crematory717-560-5100