Obituary of Ella Schmandt Bierlein

"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3

Ella Schmandt Bierlein, 96, of Pennsylvania Furnace, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at her home. Born July 23, 1925 in Reese, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Ernst Schmandt and Anna Schmandt. On August 16, 1947 Ella married Delbert Bierlein and they enjoyed 64 years together. Del passed away on June 29, 2012. Ella is survived by four children, Catherine Schroeder and her husband, Hartmut, of Franklin, MA, Alan Bierlein, of Goshen, IN, Charles Bierlein and his wife, Lisa, of Spring Mills, PA and David Bierlein and his wife Barbara, of Spring Mills, PA. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Ella was preceded in death by youngest child, Matthew, on August 6, 1993.

In 1943 Ella entered the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. and received her nursing degree in 1946. She worked as a registered nurse at many hospitals and retired from Tyrone Hospital in the early 90's. She and Del were founding members of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, State College. Ella also enjoyed the local garden and bridge clubs in which she participated. Another activity Ella thoroughly enjoyed was lunches at the Waffle Shop with her best friend Phyllis; a friendship she treasured into their late 90's.

Ella's greatest legacy is the quiet caring way she lived her Christian faith. She always had time for family and a game of cards.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful aides, caregivers, hospice nurses and staff that assisted the family with her comfort and care. Thank you to all those who have cared for Ella over the years especially the volunteers of State College Meals on Wheels, Fred and the team at Weis, Martin Street Pharmacy, Sharon Bressler, Rev. Bryan Spang, Jeannie Campbell and Jeff King.

Friends will be received starting at 10:00am with the funeral service beginning at 11:30am, Monday, July 18, 2022 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, Rev. Kenneth Zitsch, officiant. Committal service and burial will be in Graysville Cemetery, Pennsylvania Furnace following the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be made by visiting  www.kochfuneralhome.com.