Obituary of Donna Jane Benner

Donna Jane Benner, 83, of Boalsburg, died Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born September 6, 1934, in Lewistown, she was the daughter of the late Herschel Rittenhouse and the late Marian McKinley Bardell. On September 3rd 1960 at Grove Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewistown, PA, Donna Jane married Edward Benner. In addition to her husband, Donna Jane is survived by two children, Timothy Edward Benner and his wife, Marcy Jo, of Watsontown, and Matthew Russell Benner and his wife, Nicole, of Mount Wolf,; granddaughter, Madison Jean Benner of Mount Wolf; sister, Mary Ann Naylor of Lewistown; step-sister, Susan Baumgardner of McClure; step-sister, Sheila Keister of Lewistown; step-mother, Penny Rittenhouse; and fur grandbabies, Patrick, Kyra, Mia, Izzy, and Natalie. Donna Jane graduated from Lewistown High School in 1952. She received her registered nursing degree from Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing in Harrisburg, in 1955. Following graduation, she began her career as a registered nurse at Polyclinic Hospital. Donna Jane later worked for Lewistown Hospital in the emergency room department. Donna Jane was an active member of her church as well as an "Easter Egg Lady". Donna Jane was a known extravert and loved to talk. She also enjoyed leaf peeping in the fall, nature and bird watching from her front porch; visiting at the family cabin and Whipple Dam; vacationing at Brigantine Beach in NJ; as well as tenting at Grange Fair. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm with funeral service to be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, June 4, 2018 at Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Rd., State College. Burial will be private in Boalsburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Rd., State College, PA 16801, in memory of Donna Jane Benner. 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.