Marian (Knepper) Curran

Marian (Knepper) Duecker Curran, age 97, of Butler passed away early Saturday morning, April 25, 2015, in the VNA Inpatient Hospice, Butler.

She was born December 6, 1917 in Tiffin, Ohio to the late Lynn and Mary (Riehm) Knepper.

Marian was a graduate of Tiffin High School and from Bowling Green University in 1939 with a degree in Home Economics/Dietetics.  She worked as a high school teacher for several years and continued her career in Industrial Dietetics.  In 1971 she furthered her education at the University of Pittsburgh, obtaining a Masters in Special Education.  She designed and implemented a curriculum at Cumberland School in the North Hills to train children with mental disabilities for careers in food service.  In 1975 she retired to Lake Pymatuning, PA where she started a Bed and Breakfast in her Victorian farmhouse.  Her interests included vegetable and flower gardening, gourmet cooking, reading, bird watching, and antiquing.  She enjoyed traveling with her family.  She was always active in her church as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday school teacher, most recently at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Butler.  She was a devoted and involved mother, grandmother and great grandmother and was happiest when surrounded by her family.

Surviving are her one daughter, Mary Reefer and her husband John of Butler; one son, Werner Duecker and his wife Carol of Grand Junction, CO; three grandchildren Karen DeLorenzo and her husband Matthew of Butler, Jason Reefer and his wife Shannon of Pittsburgh, and Beth Reefer of Pittsburgh; 4 great grandchildren, Ava, Adalyn and Andrew DeLorenzo and Ella Reefer; and a niece Susan Halen and nephew Michael Knepper. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband,  John Duecker; her second husband, Frederick Curran; her brother, Walter Knepper; and her sister-in-law Grace Knepper.

There will be no visitation for Marian Curran.  At a later date, a celebration of life service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Butler with interment in the Pleasant Union Cemetery in Old Fort, Ohio.

Memorial donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 East Jefferson Street, Butler PA 16001.

Arrangements are under the care of the Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home, 387 Main Street, Prospect. 

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