Katharine Kerper Riedel, 87, passed away to be with her Lord on June 6th, 2024 at the Sarah Todd Home in Carlisle, PA.  The daughter of William B Whittock and Katharine G Schwarz, Kerper was born May 8th 1937 in Harrisburg, PA.

She graduated from Penn Hall Academy in Chambersburg, PA in 1955 and attended the University of Miami, Florida.  She married her soulmate Philip P Riedel in 1957 and raised their two children in New Cumberland, PA.  She led a humble and joyful life, inspiring her family as a faith-filled and devoted wife and mother.  She taught her children Spanish at a young age, wrote beautiful poetry, entertained her family as a consummate storyteller and became locally famous for her delicious baked goods such as sticky buns, Pennsylvania Dutchcake, and strawberry-rhubarb pie.

Kerper was the salt and light of the Christian Gospel in her family, and lived a life full of the Fruit of the Spirit.  She was a member of Baughman United Methodist Church in New Cumberland, PA.  She also worked as a secretary for the US Army Recruiting Station in Harrisburg, PA.

She was predeceased by her husband Philip in 2005 and is survived by her family: her son Theodore Riedel and daughter-in-law Jean Riedel, of Wrentham, MA and her daughter Christina Verrecchio and son-in-law Jonathan Verrecchio, of Mechanicsburg, PA, along with her 7 grandchildren: Adriana Reisser, Aidan Reisser, Adlai Reisser, Asher Verrecchio, Aubrey Verrecchio, Noah Riedel, and Sofia Riedel.

All are invited to attend a memorial service for Kerper which will take place on Friday July 19th 2024 at Baughman United Methodist Church at 228 Bridge St in New Cumberland, PA.  Visitation will take place at 10:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11am.  Interment will follow immediately at Mechanicsburg Cemetery.  www.EwingBrothers.com.