Obituary of Katherine Christoffer

Katherine Wenk "Kay" Christoffers, 91, of State College and Atlantis, Fla., died Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at the Hospice of Palm Beach County, Atlantis, FL. Born 29 January 1922, in Philadelphia, PA, Kay was the only child of Lora Ethel Heim Wenk and Karl Edward Wenk of Kane, PA. She attended Kane High School and Arlington Hall Junior College, and graduated from Connecticut College for Women in 1945 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. On October 20, 1945, she married William French Christoffers, of Fredonia, NY. They moved to State College, PA, where Bill spent his career in administration at Penn State University. In addition to playing hostess at many University functions, Kay was also deeply involved in volunteer work. She was a past president of the Faculty's Women's Club, the Palmer Museum of Art, the Hospital Auxiliary, and the Council of Auxiliaries. She held Board Membership for the Red Cross, was treasurer for the Hospital Authority, and was a Fund Raising Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society. Kay was an excellent golfer, and a fierce competitor. She won the Centre Hills Country Club Women's Club Championship nineteen times between the years 1946 and 1987. After Bill retired from the University, Kay and Bill summered in State College, and wintered in Florida, eventually settling full time in Atlantis, FL, where Bill died in 1987. In Atlantis, Kay played golf until physical challenges forced her off the course. She supported the local hospital, and continued to support Penn State and Connecticut College. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Karl Knox Christoffers and Linda Marie Taylor, of Portland, OR. Funeral service will be graveside at 2 p.m., on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at Graysville Cemetery, Graysville Cemetery Rd, Spruce Creek, PA 16683, with the Reverend John M. Diller officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Villages of Hope, 9078 Isaiah Lane, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.