Eloise Bjerkan Kyper, longtime State College area resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 11, 2023; she was 85.
Eloise was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Arthur Bergantz Kyper, on April 9, 2010; her parents, Ingval and Magda Bjerkan; sisters, Doris Johnson and Mildred Hall; and grandson, Krushun Rice. She is survived by her son, Dan Kyper and his wife, Jan and their children, Troy (wife, Savannah, daughters Demi, Indie and Cami) Gilbert of Pittsburgh, PA and Ross (Jess) Kyper of State College, PA; her daughter, Diana Rice and her husband Samuel and their children, Dominique (husband, Dustin, sons Isaiah, Gabe, Bryce and Logan) Egbers, Sam Rice, Davion Rice, Jeremey (wife, Kaylee, son Jude) Console, John Rice (Emily and son Sloan) and James Rice.
Eloise was born November 6, 1937 to Ingval and Magda (Rothe) Bjerkan. Her grandparents immigrated from Norway and proved up a claim in the Dakota Territories to become grain farmers. She began her education in a one room school house. Eloise graduated from Minot Model High School. While attending the Trinity Hospital School of Nursing, she attended a dance sponsored by the Airmen from the Minot Radar Station. That is where she met her future husband, Arthur B. Kyper.
Eloise graduated at the top of her class in the nursing program also receiving the Florence Nightingale Award. She was further honored by being asked to become an instructor in Pediatrics.
Arthur and Eloise were married on September 28, 1958. She and her husband moved to Huntingdon, PA where they owned a dairy farm and she worked at the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital. Their family later moved to Jamestown, ND. While there, Eloise received her B.S. in Nursing, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her passion for education was rewarded when she was asked to be an instructor for the Jamestown College School of Nursing.
The Kypers moved back to PA in 1973 to become the owners of Centre County Memorial Park. Eloise served as Vice President, Treasurer and was on the Board of Directors for CCMP. In 1990 Eloise graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Sciences, BMS, Cum Laude. She went on to establish the Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home adjacent to CCMP in State College.
Listed among her many accomplishments are: Real Estate Salesperson Licensee, PA Funeral Director Licensee, PA Life Insurance Licensee, member of PA Association of Notaries, member of National, State and local Funeral Directors Associations, member of Society of Women Morticians, Professional Nursing Licensee in PA, ND and MN, listed in the Who’s Who Directory and active church member.
Although learning and achieving was life long ambition the most important thing to her was family. Eloise enjoyed being active in her children’s activities such as the Cub Scouts, Brownies and 4-H. She also taught Sunday School for many years.
Eloise’s interests included reading, interior design and gardening. Every yard she tended included 3 seasons of blooming flowers. Her love of animals allowed her children a collection beloved pets. She was especially close to her companion cat, Conrad. Her strong, lifelong faith in God has carried her throughout life. She most recently attended the Berean Baptist Church.
Services are private per the family’s request. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Eloise’s honor to the State College Food Bank at 1321 S. Atherton St, State College.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com.