Rose Anne (Krut) Puchalla

Rose Anne (Krut) Puchalla, age 92, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of State College, died on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Rose was born on March 18, 1933, in Huntingdon to the late John Joseph Krut and Sophia (George) Krut. Rose was the widow of Edward “Ed” John Puchalla, to whom she was married for 61 years, and who died on April 30, 2021.

Rose’s survivors include her three children: Steve Puchalla and wife Cindy (McInteer) of Southern Shores, NC; Donna Hancock and husband Ernest, of Tonopah, AZ; John Puchalla and wife Debra, of Pelham, NY; her nine grandchildren and their spouses: Paul, Sarah (Chris), Rhea (Tim), Forest (Veronica), Corsair (Laura), Sierra (Georgie), Joseph, William, Edward; her 12 great-grandchildren; her two great-great-grandchildren; her three brothers: John Krut (Janie, deceased) of Levittown; Steve Krut (Cindy) of Marietta; James Krut (Linda) of Gettysburg; brothers-in-law: Stanley Puchalla (Loretta, deceased) of Philadelphia and Robert Puchalla (Barbara) of Huntingdon, and sister-in-law Barbara Chiodo (Donald, deceased) of Morgantown, WV. In addition to her parents and husband, Rose is preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Melessa (Wade) Puchalla and sisters-in-law Joanna Madden (Elmer of State College) and Ann Aurand (Ted of Huntingdon).

Rose graduated from Captain Jack Joint High School in Mount Union in 1951. She then received a degree from Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia in 1954 in part because airlines preferred that flight attendants have nursing skills. Rose worked at hospitals in Harrisburg and Philadelphia for about a year before moving to San Francisco in 1955 with some classmates; there, she worked in the maternity ward of a hospital. Rose graduated from United Air Lines Stewardess School to fulfill a childhood dream and worked for several years crisscrossing the Pacific from California to Hawaii. Along the way she lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Cheyenne, WY, and loved the travel, restaurants and adventures with friends. She returned to Pennsylvania in 1959 and that year married Edward Puchalla; she loved raising their children in State College. She worked more than 20 years at Penn State University at Eisenhower Chapel and in the admissions department. She long was a faithful parishioner at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College and volunteered in their parish store and at the local St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, always generous with her time and energy for nurturing. Through the years she and Ed traveled to see their kids and grandkids in Arizona, New York and Virginia—and headed over the mountains to Mount Union and other places to see her mom and families frequently, always making quality time a priority. Having moved to Bethany Village in Harrisburg in 2021, she continued her fellowship at St. Joseph’s Church and created a new circle of friends following Ed’s passing, going for dinners and coffee, doing puzzles, getting ice cream with her sister-in-law and dear friend Minerva Shindler and her husband Bob, and keeping up with her nursing school friends.

Rose more than anything took pride in her family and treasured the simple things together--a picnic reunion, a trip to the beach or a lake or a sunset walk--and was the consummate hostess when visitors arrived home for a Penn State game, candles lit in hopes of a win. She welcomed grandkids for “Nonni camp” and delighted in doing arts and crafts, playing trains, going to the playground or teaching traditional family recipes—there were always ample pierogi and raisin cookies and, at Christmas, rainbow jello. But the truth is, Rose worried quite a lot. She appreciated those around her and wanted the best for those she loved, for her family, her friends and her community, working so very hard to help others. Rose held a kind ear, willing to listen and gentle in advice and giving with her smiles. She was fiercely stubborn in expecting little of others and much of herself, willing herself to learn new technologies, become expert in local sports and keep up with medical information even into her sunset years. Folks would say she was quiet, but they could’ve been just out of earshot for her zingers and feisty retorts. She loved her brothers, relaxing into laughs at their pool parties and billiards tourneys and reminiscing over family tall tales and songs and indulging in a few tiny sips of wine. Making sure everyone around her had what they needed first, she would then smile, savoring the moment in her perfectly Rose way.

All are welcome to join Rose’s family at her Funeral Mass on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Rose’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421 (next to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation), immediately following the Mass. A memorial service and interment will follow at a later date in State College.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration of Rose's life can be made to the International Service Center for Ukranians and others in need, 21 South River St. Harrisburg, PA 17101 or St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, 1300 Benner Pike, Suite B, State College, PA 16801.

Rose’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Rose’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.