MARY KATHRYN PRISBY LIPINSKI KROUSE

Class of 1945-J

Prisby

Mary Kathryn Krouse, 90, died peacefully, with her family by her side, in State College, Pa., on March 31, 2015.

Known by her friends and family as Kathryn, she had lived in Gainesville, Ga., since October 1985, when she retired with her late husband, William Krouse. Kathryn, the youngest of three children, was born on April 30, 1924, in Johnstown, Pa., to the late Mary and Stanley Prisby. She is predeceased by her brother, Stanley Prisby; and sister, Helen Struble.

She became interested in tennis at an early age, and played tennis her entire life. After graduating from high school, she earned her bachelor's degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., where she also played tennis.

She then graduated from Saint Francis School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pa., where she again played tennis, and married John Lipinski. They had two daughters, Judy Rohrbaugh, Bellefonte, Pa., and Karen Thompson, Boise, Idaho.

After living in Pittsburgh, Pa., for 10 years, Kathryn and her daughters moved to Lancaster, Pa., where she raised her children, and as a registered nurse held the position as a clinical nursing instructor for the Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pa., and later as a private duty nurse at the Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pa. Prior to retirement, she was the resident nurse for Saint Albans Preparatory School For Boys, in Washington, D.C.

She married the late William J. Krouse in 1979, and then lived in Red Lion, Pa., until retiring to Gainesville in 1985. Kathryn and her husband, "Bill", were active tennis players and members of the United States Tennis Association. In 1990, Kathryn placed fourth in the U.S. National Senior Olympics for women's singles. Shortly after moving to Gainesville, Kathryn became actively interested in the craft of pine needle basketry. She learned the art of basket making and created museum-quality baskets. Her baskets were exhibited in several galleries throughout the south, as well as the northeastern United States.

Kathryn is survived by her daughter, Judy A. Rohrbaugh, and son-in-law, Christian E. Rohrbaugh, Bellefonte, Pa., and daughter Karen L. Thompson, and son-in-law, Michael Thompson, Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, Scott C. Rohrbaugh, and wife, Silvia, Stow, Ohio, and Jacob Thompson and Matthew Thompson, Boise, Idaho.

Kathryn knew many of her neighbors and fellow tennis players as her good friends.

An online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.

Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service P.C., State College, Pa.

Published in gainesvilletimes.com on Apr. 5, 2015



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