Lura Jane Sollenberger

Lura (Leitzel) Sollenberger, 91, 178 Sollenberger Road, Everett, PA, passed away September 19, 2018, after an extended time of serious illness.

Lura was born April 24, 1927, in Richfield, PA, the daughter of the late Paul V. and Orpha (Graybill) Leitzel. On November 24, 1968, Lura married Lloyd Sollenberger of Everett. Lura and Lloyd would have celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary in just a few weeks.

Lura had one brother, Celo Leitzel, married to Doris, both deceased. Celo was  a well known Lutheran pastor for many years in the Selinsgrove area. Her nieces and nephews include:  Lowell Leitzel, Selinsgrove, PA; Lois (Leitzel) married to Doug Moser, Boothwyn, Pa; Laureen (Leitzel) married to Ray Baldwin, Linwood, PA;  Lindsey Leitzel, Lockport, NY.

Lura graduated from Freeburg High School in 1945; in 1949 she graduated from Lock Haven University with a major in elementary education. After several years of teaching, Lura enrolled at Penn State University and earned a degree in Home Economics; she later earned a master’s degree in that field from Penn State.

In July of 1956 Lura came to Bedford County to accept the position of Home Economist with the Penn State University’s Agriculture Extension program. She continued in that position until her retirement, thirty-two years later, in June 1988. During those years she gave leadership to the county 4-H program and Women Infants Children (WIC), a federal program, focusing on good health for those with low income. Lura assisted with both 4-H and adult exhibits at the Bedford County Fair and the Harrisburg Farm Show, sometimes serving as a judge. She was available to counsel those who needed help with preserving food and sewing garments—she knew how to get pressure canners functioning properly and how to improve sewing projects. Lura was very instrumental in helping to establish Old Bedford Village, a project that came with many challenges for her.

Lura was a member of both the Soroptimist and Toastmistress clubs, serving in leadership roles in each. Her speeches frequently gained first place in Toastmistress settings. Lura maintained a full and busy schedule but she always found spare time to plant and tend her flowers that she so very much enjoyed.

While living in Bedford Lura was a member of the Trinity Lutheran congregation in Bedford; after her marriage to Lloyd, she moved to Everett and became a member of the Everett Church of the Brethren. She is remembered by those who enrolled in a course she so ably taught titled “People of the Covenant.”

A Memorial Service to remember Lura will be held Monday, September 24, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Everett Church of the Brethren, 119 Second Street in Everett, with Pastor Mike Benner leading the service. Visitation with the family will be one hour before the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Everett Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Lura may be given to the Everett Church of the Brethren. On line condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com

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