Helen Marie Ralston Loesch, 77, of Julian, formerly of Millheim, died Monday, December 17, 2007, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center at State College.
She was born January 12, 1930, in College Township, a daughter of the late Samuel Ralph and Esther Marion Shuey Ralston.
On April 9, 1950, she married Ralph J. Loesch, who preceded her in death on October 21, 2006.
Mrs. Loesch is survived by two daughters, Linnea Louise Slaybaugh and her husband Herman of Lemont, and Susan Marie Neese of Julian; three sons, William Ralston Loesch and his wife Diane of Port Matilda, Dennis Keith Loesch and his wife Joyce of Julian, and Robert Lee Loesch and his wife Christina of Fort Meade, MD; nine grandchildren, Melissa Adams and her husband Jeremy, Adam Noll, Ashley, and Heather Loesch and her fianc, Chris Demyan; Marie Bell, Thomas and Courtney Loesch, Frederick Holt, and his wife Maria, and Philip Holt; and six great grandchildren; and two sisters Mary F. Delaney of Centre Hall, and Sylvia E. Double of Ren Frew.
Helen graduated from State College High School in 1948, and from Adele Allen Beauty Culture School in Altoona.
In addition to being a homemaker, she was self-employed as a seamstress while living in Boalsburg, served as a waitress at Duffy's Tavern in Boalsburg, and cooked for Meals on Wheels in State College.
She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Boalsburg, where she had taught Sunday School for several years. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Millheim Fire Company.
Helen especially enjoyed gardening, canning, being out of doors, walking in the woods, working with flowers, and doing plastic canvass crafts and reading. She was an accomplished seamstress and was adept at caning chairs.
A private visitation will held from 10:00 to 11:00 a. m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA. A private funeral will follow at 11:00 a. m., with the Reverend Calvin F. Phillips II officiating. Burial at Centre County Memorial Park at the convenience of the family.
The family will provide the flowers, and in lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Meals of Wheels, 205 S. Garner St., State College, PA 16801.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com