Clara E. Sturla

Clara E. “Betty” Sturla, 89, of 3001 Lititz Pike, Terrace Crossings, Lititz, formerly of Churchtown, died Thursday, December 4, 2014 in the Lancaster General Hospital Emergency Room. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter L. Sturla, in 2004.

Born in Churchtown, she was the daughter of the late Charles S. and Mary (Hyman) Duttenhofer.

Betty was a teacher in the former Churchtown Academy, then serving as a substitute at the former Caernarvon Elementary School. She was active in the Caernarvon Historical Society and looked forward to attending the Churchtown Memorial Day Parade each year.

Betty loved life and she loved her family, especially her late husband Pete; and she cherished the many friends and acquaintances she made throughout her own life.

She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, New Holland.

Surviving are four children: Joseph C. married to Lynn (Fazio) Sturla, Petaluma, CA; Representative P. Michael Sturla, companion of Tracy Horst, Lancaster; Jeffrey T. married to Tracy (Kirsch) Sturla, Lancaster; Patricia A. married to Dr. Stephen M. Froman, Coraopolis, PA; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother Charles W. Duttenhofer and a sister Mary Ann Duttenhofer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 9 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 150 Water St., New Holland with Fr. Walter Guzman as celebrant. Interment will be in the United Methodist Cemetery of Churchtown. A viewing will be held at the Beck Funeral Home, 315 E. Main St., New Holland on Monday from 6 – 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 – 10:45 a. m. Condolences may be posted on our website, www.beckfuneral.com.