Helen Lois (Karwoski) Ranck

LEWISBURG - Helen Lois (Karwoski) Ranck, 83, died peacefully at her home at 138 Willowbrook Blvd. in Lewisburg on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Helen was born on April 14, 1927 in Garwood, NJ and was the daughter of the late Anthony and Helena (Staciwa) Karwoski. She was married for 47 years to the late Lee S. "Bud" Ranck who had died in 1995. She had retired from Bucknell University in 1976 where she was secretary of the Music and Arts Department. An avid golfer, she was a member of the Bucknell Golf Club where she won the ladies club championship in 1972 and 1973 and for many years, volunteered as the starter at the Club's Annual Invitational Tournament. She was also an avid bowler and bridge player and like her late husband, an avid Bucknell sports fan, rarely missing a home football or basketball home game where she always had an ample supply of home made cookies for those who sat around her. Helen enjoyed playing Bingo and an occasional trip to the casinos with some of her many friends. She was well known for her baking and culinary skills which she particularly enjoyed delivering to neighbors. She was a regular volunteer for the American Red Cross and attended the First Baptist Church in Lewisburg for many years. Helen is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; Jeffrey and Debra Ranck and Craig and Cathy Ranck, all of Lewisburg, two daughters and sons-in-law; Lois and Bruce Johnson of Coventry, CT and Carol and Dr. Douglas Reigh of Birdsboro, PA, six grandchildren; Tim Johnson and wife Christi of Sanford, FL, Lindsay Woog and husband Jonathan of Charlotte, NC, Peter Johnson and fianc襒 Kaitlin Crean of Vernon, CT, Jeffrey S. Ranck Jr. of Baltimore, MD, Natalie C. Ranck and Kyle C. Ranck, both of Lewisburg, one great granddaughter; Hailey Lynn Johnson of Sanford, FL and one brother; Robert A. Karwoski of N. Kingstown, RI. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister; Adele Howarth. A celebration of Helen's life will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Rooke Chapel on the campus of Bucknell University with a reception following in the Terrace Room in the Elizabeth Langone Center. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or to the Bucknell Golf Club, P.O. Box 297, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Arrangements are being handled by the Dale E. Ranck Funeral Service, 125 N. Front St., Milton, PA, 17847.