Evelyn M. Krupka
Evelyn M. Krupa, 98, of Philipsburg, died on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Centre Care, Benner Pike, Bellefonte.
Evelyn was born on December 5, 1922, in Philipsburg, a daughter of the late Samuel and Theresa (Domblisky) Zackey.
Evelyn was married in May 1945, in Philipsburg, to Joseph Krupa, Jr., who preceded her in death on October 30, 2004.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Ronald Krupa.
Evelyn is survived by a son, Dennis W. Krupa and his wife, Nina, of Kent, Ohio; two grandchildren, Ronald Krupa and Janice (Krupa) Digon and numerous other extended family members.
She was a dedicated homemaker.
“Evelyn and Joe”, childhood neighbors, siblings to brothers and sisters of two families who remained close throughout their lives.
The remoteness of their homes from Philipsburg created many hardships but it also nurtured the two families’ friendships and instilled a sense of what family really is.
And so it was to be Evelyn’s almost innate ability to find peaceful “work arounds” to her life’s various adversities. Such as navigating the months long gaps when Joe would be at the VA hospital to continue treatments for the head trauma injury inflicted on him at Luxembourg during the final days of WWII.
She calmly rallied her two young sons, Ronald and Dennis as partners to take on some of the added responsibilities, and again those sisters and brothers, now aunts and uncles, chipped in as they could. And it all worked pretty well, punctuated with uplifting visits to see Joe at the Pittsburgh VA Hospital every two weeks on Sunday’s, until he came back home.
Evelyn had a very even keel and a sense of vision, subtly sparking her sons’ interests with their growing skills and with Dennis in particular on occasional drives to a State College aquarium shop, that provided like-minded interactions with real live college kids. That subtle sparking of interests into greater endeavors continued with her grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She loved music, classical, big band and movie scores like Scott Joplin’s ragtime. She picked up piano in her teens without any formal instruction, learned to read music and quickly mastering the keyboard. She played into her mid 90’s.
She also loved to cook and bake, and her sons loved that and so did their friends. She had an extensive repertoire. And baking numerous pastries of all sorts and especially with Joe’s help was usually a once a week affair. The kitchen table would be one big dough making, cookie making work station typically turning out loaves of Swedish rye bread, dozens of cinnamon rolls, poppy seed rolls, peanut butter cookies, even doughnuts to mention just a few.
Pie making was another specialty of hers made even better by fresh picked fruits from the orchard.
Canning was also a favorite of hers, ranging from jellies and preserves to grape juice and pickles.
In her later years, it was clam chowder that family members requested ahead of a visit
Evelyn had a special soft spot in her heart for animals and the natural world and received much joy in bird feeding and watching the deer. She and Joe shared that love as well.
They worked as a team for as long as they could, and then she continued in that spirit alone, always instilling in those remaining, the essence of family.
Retrospectively, her family greatly appreciates the special attention provided by Uncle Paul Krupa and his son, Gene, both now deceased, for their supportive hospitality through the years.
Likewise, the family appreciated the assisted living care provided by Brenda Kenjora and the attention and friendship that she and her husband Fred freely gave.
And to come full circle, great appreciation for the helpful and sometimes, hands-on attention of her neighbor, Ray Malicki.
In memory of Evelyn Krupa contributions to the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association https://moshannoncreek.org/
will be most appreciated.
Interment was in Philipsburg Cemetery. A private graveside service was held at the convenience of the family.
Online condolences and memories may be submitted at http://www.beezerheathfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg.
