Kathryn C. "Katie" (Countryman) Bell

Kathryn C. Bell, 95, Berlin, died November 29, 2020, at UPMC Somerset Hospital.  Katie was born Kathryn Jeannette Countryman, February 19, 1925 on the family farm in Brothersvalley Township, the daughter of Russel Elwood Countryman and Verna D. (Dickey) Countryman.  She married David M. Bell, of Pittsburgh, a veteran of W.W. II in Europe, after their graduation from college. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Dave, her brother and sister-in-law Paul D. and Marie Countryman, and her husband’s brothers and sisters, including Harriett B. Garrison, with whom she was especially close. Katie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Douglas McCall Bell and Kathleen S. Bell, her very dear grandson David Edward Bell, her very close, dear and special nephew and niece David P. and Linda Countryman, and niece and nephew Patricia C. and Roger “Rocky” Ohler, her fellow mother-in-law Joan Smith, along with many wonderful great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins in the entire extended Countryman, Dickey and Garrison clans.  She also became “Grandma Bell” to her daughter-in-law’s extended family. The pleasant days at the end of her life were made possible not only by her family and friends, but also by her caregivers whom she loved:  Cathy Foust, Lorraine Woida, Brenda Brewer, and Gennifer Frost. Kathryn was a graduate of Berlin Brothersvalley Joint High School, Class of 1941.  She received a B.S. from Indiana State Teachers’ College, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was a member of Kappa Omicron Phi, and taught home economics at various high schools in Western Pennsylvania, including Somerset High School. Katie was a regular substitute teacher, including several long-term positions, at Berlin Brothersvalley Junior-Senior High School and Somerset County Area Vocational Technical School for many years.  Later, she worked with her husband in the real estate business. She was a lifelong member and altar guild member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berlin, a member of the Fidelis Sunday School Class, a former church council member, a former representative to the Allegheny Lutheran Synod, Lutheran Church in America, former Luther League leader, and a former member and past president of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Women. Katie was the last surviving charter member and a past president of Pius Spring Woman’s Club, a founding member of the Berlin Area Historical Society, a member and past president of the Somerset Community Hospital Auxiliary, a former member of the Board of Trustees of Somerset Community Hospital, a member of the Somerset Welfare League, a former 4-H member and 4-H leader, former Berlin Girl Scout Cadet Troop Leader, and a former member of the Brothersvalley 4-H Senior Extension Club. A private viewing and service will be held at the convenience of the family with interment Wednesday in Berlin I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Rev. Gary Jensen and Rev. Dr. David Williams officiating. There will be a public memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 507 Main St., Berlin, PA 15530; or Katie would have been pleased if you would make a donation to the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Deaner Funeral Home, Berlin. Condolences to the family may be offered at DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com