Kathleen S. Van Gorden, 92

December 07, 2023

Kathleen Patricia (Schmidt) Van Gorden, 92, of Lititz, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on December 7, 2023 in her apartment at Luther Acres. She was the wife of Charles L. Van Gorden who passed in March 2016. They had been married 63 years.

Kathy was born in Lancaster, PA and was the daughter of the late Fredrick Schmidt and Ruth (Bohn) Schmidt. She was a life-long resident of Lancaster County.

Kathy was a graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School and East Stroudsburg State Teachers College with a degree in health education. She initially taught physical education at Ephrata and then Lampeter-Strasburg High Schools along with various team coaching assignments. After a short break to raise her two young children, she returned to teaching in the Conestoga Valley School District while finishing her certification in library science at Millersville State College. With the opening of the new J.E. Fritz Elementary School, she became the librarian until her retirement in 1989.

Kathy was a passionate and awarded educator, respected by her peers, and creating many life-long bonds with her students. She loved nurturing children and sharing her love of learning and reading. Throughout her life, she also was very creative and talented with all forms of home crafts: sewing, quilting, smocking and knitting. She blessed countless friends and family members with her unique and personal creations. In retirement, Kathy developed an interest in genealogy, researching both sides of the family back to pre-colonial years. Lastly, Kathy’s sense of service never waned as she remained involved in volunteer work at her daughter’s classroom and at Luther Acres.

Surviving are her two children, Joyce Kuster, Denver, PA and Charles Van Gorden. Ballwin, MO, her sister, M. Winifred Wagner, Lititz, PA, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, R. Pauline Schmidt and a brother, Theodore R. Schmidt.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service at the Chapel of the Good Samaritan on Friday 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM located at Luther Acres in Lititz. The family will receive friends from 10-11AM in the Community Room adjacent to the Chapel. A private interment will follow at Riverview Burial Park, Lancaster, PA. Contributions in memory of Kathy can be made to the Benevolent Care program of LutherCare. LutherCare Benevolent Fund.