Rita Ann Lagerman-Betzko

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP — Rita Ann Lagerman-Betzko, 90, of Mount Carmel, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2017. She had resided in the Mount Carmel Senior Living Center.

Rita was born on July 14, 1926, in the Lagerman homestead in Trevorton, to the late Francis and Helen (Dougherty) Lagerman.

She was number 10 of 11 children being born in the home spanning 23 years. Her siblings, all who have passed before her, were Francis, Clem, Helen, Owen, Ed, Philip, Charles, Jimmy, Jean (Principe) and Claire.

Before moving to Astoria in Queens, New York, she grew up in Trevorton swimming in the family's mud hole known as "Lagerman's Dam" (now the Zerbe Rod and Gun Club lake) and reading as many books as she could borrow. She attended Trevorton and New York public schools, where her love for reading and singing in choirs started. She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Trevorton and Our Lady of Hope Church, Coal Township, where she enjoyed singing in the choir for many years.

In October 1947, she moved back to Trevorton and married Robert Betzko. "Bob" passed away June 27, 1962, but not before they had five children, Charles, Ken, Peggy, Jack and Eddie. Charles passed on June 26, 1973, at the age of 24 in a work accident. Eddie passed suddenly in 1999, at age 40, leaving two children, Corinne and Michael. Corinne Betzko, her fiancé, Martin Olszewskie, and their daughter, Elizabeth Grace, reside in Mount Carmel Township, as do Michael Betzko, his fiancé, Tiffany Spears, and her son, Brent. Ken and his wife, Darlene, of Harrisburg, have two children; Darren and his wife, Caitlin, and Tammy Betzko and her son, Ukiah. Jack and his wife, Becky, of Fallston, Maryland, have two sons, Logan and Garrett. Peggy and her husband, Ken Field, of Tahoe City, California, have two children, Kelly and Sean. Rita is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

BETZKO — Rita Ann (Lagerman) Betzko, 90, of Mount Carmel. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, June 19, 2017, at St. Patrick Church, 331 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton, with Rev. Steven G. Frenier as celebrant. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, 2001 Clinton Ave., Coal Township 17866. Joseph J. Stutz Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz, III, supervisor, is handling arrangements.