Martha Johanna (Storruste) Kolln, aged 91, died August 17, 2024. She was kind and generous and beloved by all who knew her.
Martha was born October 26, 1932 in Silverton Oregon to the late Michael and Jenny (Grunwald) Storruste. Martha attended Silverton High School, where she met Jack Kolln, the man to whom she would be married for 73 years, until his death in July of this year.
Martha and Jack started their family in Oregon, later moving to California and eventually to State College. A mother of four, Martha found the time to Graduate Penn State with a Master’s degree and embark on a successful and rewarding career not only in teaching at Penn State, but also in the world of publishing. Her most widely-known textbooks, “Understanding English Grammar” and “Rhetorical Grammar” are still being used in classrooms to this day.
Martha is survived by three of her children, Barbara, Tim and John. Her eldest daughter, Kristi, recently passed and will also be missed. Martha was also loved by her four grandchildren, Jason DiClemente, Kristi Di Clemente, Jeannine Kolln, Ella Kolln, and her two great granddaughters, Isabel and Samantha DiClemente.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 780 Waupelani Dr., State College, PA 16801. Private inurnment will take place at Centre County Memorial Park at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Martha’s honor to the Mid-State Literacy Council.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com.