Katherine E. “Kay” Wicker, 96, of Centre Hall, was surrounded by love when she went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the Inn at Juniper Village in State College. Born on June 18, 1925, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Craig E. and C. Katherine (Lutz) Hand. On June 14, 1947, in Highland Park, she married Robert J. Wicker, who preceded her in death on March 15, 2001.
Kay graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1942. After graduation, she worked for the First Pennsylvania Bank for a short period of time. She then worked for the Reading Railroad in Philadelphia for 12 years. She spent 22 years as the secretary for the Headmaster at the Christian Academy in Brookhaven, until her retirement in June of 1987. After the death of her husband, she moved to Centre Hall and volunteered part-time as a receptionist at the Four Springs Veterinary Clinic, where she enjoyed meeting and getting to know the clients.
Kay’s Godparents took her to Wildwood, NJ, every summer, where she met her future husband, Robert James Wicker. When they were just young children, he told her that he was going to marry her someday. It was here that she developed a love for the beach and ocean. She and Bob lost contact for many years until World War II, when Bob’s mom encouraged her to write letters to him while he was overseas, serving with the US Navy, to help keep up his morale. He would read her letters with a flashlight. These letters reconnected them and they started dating when he returned home.
Kay was a member of the State College Christian Missionary Alliance Church. She was a woman of strong faith. There is no doubt that she was reunited and celebrating with her husband and friends that have gone before her in the place God has prepared for them. She enjoyed knitting, traveling, cooking, and entertaining family and friends. Kay and Bob loved their summer home at Pine Haven Campground. She also had a heart for the St. Labre Indian School in Montana. Kay was a kind hearted woman that loved her family more than anything. She valued her many friendships at Penn’s Court; they were like a family to her. She was a great friend with a contagious smile that would light up the darkest room.
Kay is survived by two sons, James C. “Craig” Wicker and his wife, Dr. Susan, of Centre Hall and Robert C. “Curt” Wicker and his wife, Connie, of Billings, MT; her God daughter, Linda Roberts and her husband, Kenneth, of Cochranville, PA; three grandchildren, Katie Joy Schlegel and her husband, Joseph, of Billings, MT, Jacquelyn Redfern and her husband, Brian, also of Billings, and Jeremy A. Wicker and his wife, Christina, of Orono, ME; and two great grandchildren, Evelynn and Edith Schlegel.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 5, 2021, from 12 noon – 1pm at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc in Centre Hall. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1pm with Pastor Aaron Henning officiating. For those that are unable to attend services, the family will be holding a memorial service later in October and will be announced. Kay will be laid to rest next to her husband privately at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Kay to the Christian Academy, 4301 Chandler Drive, Brookhaven, PA 19015, or the St. Labre Indian School, 112 St. Labre Campus Drive, Ashland, MT 59003.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave. #579 Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.