Karolyn L. Stone, 81, of Warren, PA., died Monday evening, November 14, 2016, following a brief illness. She was born on December 28, 1934 in Mead Township, PA., the oldest child of the late Charles P. and A. DeEtta (Anna) Lane.
She graduated from Warren High School in 1953 and received her nursing degree in 1956 from Allegheny Valley Hospital School of Nursing in Natrona Heights, PA. She worked in emergency room, intensive care and medical-surgical hospital units for a number of years before becoming a school nurse for the Warren County School District, retiring in 1998. Karolyn was a life member of Youngsville chapter #478 Order of the Eastern Star, was a Past Matron of Warren Chapter #56 and a Past District Deputy. She was also involved with the American Red Cross and an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Youngsville. Karolyn enjoyed stamping and card marking, along with crocheting and knitting.
Karolyn is survived by her children, Charles D. Stone of Warren, PA., Kristena Maree (Tena) Branstetter and her husband, David, of Waldorf, MD., a brother, William L. Lane and his wife, Gail of Reynoldsburg, OH., a sister, Alyce D. Peiffer and her husband, Donald, of York, PA., 2 step-sisters – Jean Sweigart and her husband, Dick, of Jonesborough, TN., and Martha Smith and her husband, Wallace, of Melbourne, FL., a step-brother, William Quackenbush and his wife, Dixie, of Marionville, PA., three grandchildren – Zachary Branstetter and his wife, Stephanie, of Oak Grove, MO., Kaitlyn Branstetter of Fayetteville, NC., and Olivia Stone of Kane, PA., one great-granddaughter, Briar Rain Branstetter of Oak Grove, MO., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Stone, a sister, C. Louanna Erickson, her step-mother, Margaret Lane, and 2 nephews – Charles W. Lane and Jeffrey Smith.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East St., Warren, PA., on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. where an Eastern Star Memorial Service will be conducted at 5:45 P.M.
A funeral service will be conducted at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 343 E. Main Street, Youngsville, PA., at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 19, 2016, with the Rev. Matthew R. Scott, officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall at the church. Interment will be in Ulysses Cemetery, Ulysses, PA., at the convenience of the family. Those wishing to place memorial contributions may do so through the St. Francis of Assisi Church Memorial Fund or the American Red Cross. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Dear Tena, Chuck and families. I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Your Mom and Dad got us into camping. We all did this together for several years. Many late night campfires in the Sheffield campground. We laughed and ate mountain pies and smores! Kiddos threw rocks in the creek, etc. It seems like a whole different lifetime but as clear as yesterday. Now three of our four are having gatherings in Heaven where there is no clock to end the long weekends or food we should not eat or rain to spoil the fun. I remember your Mom with a smile on her face and always a good story. She had a heart of gold and loved her family. It seemed her illness was brief and pray her pain was also.may God hold all of you His arms and bring you peace. Love, Joan
Chuck, your mother was a good friend to my parents Bill and Lennie Oelslager. I remember being a senior in high school when I was diagnosed with arthritis. Your mother’s office became my afternoon resting place so I could make it through the day. So sorry to read about your mother. Dave Oelslager
Always loved Nurse Stone! She took care of her plants in the nurses office and watered them frequently. She and I had many great chats in her office! I will always miss her as I shared some Bingo moments at the Legion with her. She always won at Bingo. Chuck and Tena, she is with your Dad now . I always respected him, too as he taught me to read more than I did. RIP Nurse Stone! You will be sadly missed by ALL!
To Bill and Gail Lane
I am so sorry to hear of Karolyn’s passing. I still remember when we were all kids in Schantz Street and she w as the ” big sister”. Also all the outings with our moms’ “club”. She was loved by her family and friends and will be missed.
Dear Chuck and Tena,
I am so sorry for your loss. Karolyn worked with my husband at WGH in our early days in Warren, and then with me as a school nurse at Home Street and we were both active in Red Cross. She gave her all to any project she was involved in…..she will be greatly missed.
Sharie Van Gilder
November 20, 2016
Dear Tens, Chuck and families,
We have some really fond memories with your mom and family. She was tireless during band competitions, and made some long bus rides much shorter with her sense of humor.
She was always a gracious volunteer ready, willing and able to be helpful. She will certainly be remembered for the many lives she touched through her years of nursing..
With thoughts and prayers for you and yours as you begin to realize your loss and recall the many wonderful moments that were shared with your mom and friend.
Karolyn and I are descendants of Scandia’s early 19 C. Swedish immigrant families and our parents remained close friends throughout the years. Unfortunately I have recently been out of town and just now heard of her passing by a funeral notice in yesterday’s WTO. I certainly would have attended her services had I been in town.
Our Peterson Road farms in Scandia are adjoining and our ancestors were involved in founding The Elk Township Homecoming, held at Scandia Corners every Labor Day from 1930 through the 1980s.
In its peak years several thousand people joined at the Corners “to renew old friendships and and make new.”
As a child Karolyn lived in Warren, but often came up the mountain for weekends at her grandparents, Tillie and Orlo Lane’s farm on the Peterson Road. During 1940s Labor Day celebrations, Karolyn and I served “second cups” of Swedish coffee to folks seated on the schoolhouse lawn at picnic tables reminiscing about growing up here. Karolyn generously shares these experiences in my forthcoming book about The Elk Township Homecoming.
Her father’s childhood crib is on display at the Elk Township Historical Society Museum at the corners. Chuck was a game warden in our region and I can see him, a tall lanky handsome man in uniform, emerging from the woods during hunting season and staying for a cup of coffee. Karolyn was a member of the Elk Township Historical Society because she cherished her roots in Scandia. She will be very much missed.