Obituary of Betta H. Kriner

Betta Zuzana Hirko Kriner, 94, of State College, PA died Wednesday November 14, 2018, at the Village at Penn State Atrium. Born December 3, 1923. In Betta's words "I was born to the finest, Godly Parents Joseph and Anna Kanyuch Hirko, the Third Girl in the Hirko Family." Betta attended Port Bowkley, Maffett Street schools, and Plains Memorial High School. Because of her interest in business Betta selected the commercial track in High School. Betta's first job after high school was with Edgerton & West where she researched property information for banks and mortgages. After several years with Edgerton & West she accepted a job with the Hanover National Bank in Wilkes- Barre, PA. She didn't like that job because she said, "If you came in smiling, there was a suspicion that you were embezzling funds!" Her next job was with the J.B. Carr Biscuit Company as an assistant to the purchasing agent. J.B. Carr Biscuit Co. had a contract with the government to supply rations for the Armed Forces. Her duties there required her to be familiar with all the company departments including the Machine Shop, Baking Floors, Cafeteria, Transportation, and even going to Railroads to examine the seals on cars to make sure they weren't tampered with. It was during this period that Betta began attending classes offered by the University of Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. Little did she know this would lead to graduation with a degree in Finance from the Wharton School of Business in 1947. After graduation from U. Penn, Betta decided she would like to teach, so she came to State College where Penn State offered credits and with her Wharton School of Business credentials, she earned her teaching certificate and a Master's diploma in Secondary Education. It was at Penn State, when Betta was doing graduate work, that she met John Milton Kriner. They had dated for two years, and on August 18, 1957 they were married. John M. Kriner preceded her in death on May 20, 2017. After receiving her teaching credentials Betta taught in Lehighton High School, Lehighton PA. While Betta was teaching at Lehighton, Betta was offered a faculty position at Penn State in the College of Business Administration. Later Betta was transferred to the College of Education in the Business Education Department and when that department was disbanded within that college she was asked to join a new endeavor – a feasibility study in the field of computers. Eventually because of Betta's professional contributions and many others at Penn State a Self-Standing Computer Lab was established in room 201 of the Chambers Building. Betta retired briefly but then received a call from S. Paul Mazza who offered her a job at his new school, the South Hills School of Business. She agreed to teach one class but soon Mrs. Kriner would become the director of the school. In the years from 1972-1980 Betta helped set standards, wrote courses of study, implemented work experience situations, employed and evaluated faculty, scheduled students, teachers and assignments, wrote policies, established a library and had many other responsibilities that proceeded to fulfill her and the schools goal to become an Accredited Facility. Betta described her duties at South Hills "As Demanding but most Satisfactory." After another brief retirement, Betta went to work at the Bald Eagle Area School District from 1982 to 1991 doing of course, what she loved to do, teaching business and business-related classes. In Betta's words "My Life has been a Wonderful, Exciting, Educational Journey." Betta was, up to almost the very end, a very active member of Grace Lutheran Church and served on Church Council and was a Lay Leader, Lector and was also involved with many other activities at Grace Lutheran Church and other service organizations throughout her community. In addition to her husband John, Betta was preceded in death by their beloved son, John Milton Kriner II, or "John John" on October 9, 2011. John John had Down Syndrome but he had accomplished many things that most people would have said was impossible for a person with that challenge. Among many other things he became an Eagle Scout and is cited in the Congressional Record of the United States. In addition, Betta was preceded by her four siblings, Enka Tuhy, Helen Liptak, Margaret Loveland and Joseph Hirko. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday December 1, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner Street, State College, PA. with the Reverend Scott Schul officiating. Inurnment will be in the Grace Lutheran Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America Juniata Valley Council, John M. Kriner II Memorial Lodge, 9 Taylor Drive, Reedsville, PA 17084, or Grace Lutheran Church, State College. 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.