Obituary of Lotte Meta Käte Bender Deak

Lotte Meta Käte Bender Deak, 96, of State College, died Saturday, October 10, 2015, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College. She lived in Harris Acres, State College, for the past 45 years. Born January 9, 1919, in Wiesbaden-Biebrich, Germany, Lotte was the daughter of the late Karl and the late Anna-Marie Roll Bender. Her family’s sadness is tempered by fond memories of the long and mostly happy life she led. Lotte moved to Hamburg, Germany at an early age. She survived the night of carpet bombing on 25 July 1943 that killed 40,000 people. Lotte lifted herself out the rubble of WWII and married an American soldier, Francis Deak, who preceded her in death on October 9, 1982. Lotte is survived by 3 children: Franklin H. Deak and his wife, Cynthia, of Tampa, FL, Robert H. Deak and his husband, Dave Suchoski, of Falls Church, VA, and Doris A. Deak of State College; and 3 grandchildren, Leslie R. Deak and her husband Josiah C. Cocks, Andrew N. Deak, and Roxie L. Deak. After Francis retired as a civil engineer with the United States Air Forces in Europe, Francis and Lotte settled in State College, PA in1971 where Lotte finally got the dream house that she always wanted. Lotte’s experiences and love of life led her to writing and sparked her innovative style. She was a warm, social person who loved to laugh and dance. Lotte had to cut back on dancing in her later life, but she still smiled and laughed heartily up to the very end. Visitation will be 1 until 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. A Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Reverend Gene W. McCallips officiating. Burial will be in Spring Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to State College Food Bank, 1321 S Atherton St, State College, PA 16801, in memory of Lotte Meta Käte Bender Deak. 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.