Obituary of Donna L. Litke

DONNA L. LITKE, 75, of State College, PA passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Juniper Village at Brookline. She was born November 6, 1941, in Philipsburg, a daughter of the late William W. and Helen S. Litke. Donna was preceded in death by both parents and by her sisters, Marion Deck and Helen Sue Forman both of State College. She is survived by her brother, J. David Litke of Bellefonte, and three nephews: Christopher Charles Deck, of Bellefonte, PA, Gregory Scott Forman, of Rockville, MD, and Seth Thomas Forman, of Annapolis, MD. In addition, she always considered her miniature horses as an extended part of her family, namely Mr. Twister, Pitty Pat and Apricot's Brandy, all residing at Mount Nittany Horse Farm, Boalsburg, PA. Miss Litke was a 1959 graduate of State College High School, and received her BA from Lock Haven State Teachers College in 1966, and her Masters from Cortland State Teachers College, Cortland, NY, in 1969. She was a retired Elementary Physical Education Teacher in the Chenango Valley School District, Binghamton, NY, having taught for 36 years. Thereafter, she left teaching and returned to State College, spending winters in Stuart, Florida. Since returning to State College in 2003, she carried on her father, Judge William Litke's legacy, by leading University Park Plaza Corporation to new heights in her role as President. She enjoyed golfing and was for many years the Women's Club Champion of Nittany Country Club, and, at one time, Champion of the Penn State Blue Course. She enjoyed traveling and fishing although she rarely caught anything. To all those who got on "The Train" with her at any point in her life, she was truly grateful to be on this "ride" together and would say thank you and hopes you will be as fortunate as she was on her journey! Visitation will be held at Koch funeral home on Tuesday, February 21st from 4-6 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 22nd at 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Baptist Church, Munson, PA, with internment at the Forest Baptist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the "Donna L. Litke Occupational Horse Therapy Endowment" c/o the Centre Foundation, 1377 Ridge Master Dr., State College, PA 16803. 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.