Mary Lois Knerr died Feb. 4, 2017, in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital surrounded by her family.

She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Born April 3, 1926, in Sugar Grove, she was one of 10 children and the daughter of Ethel Walter York and Earl R. York.

She married Theodore “Ted” Knerr on April 25, 1947.

Graduating from Sugar Grove High School and later from Penn State University with a degree in home economics, she taught for many years at Northwestern Lehigh High School, New Tripoli.

A vibrant woman who had a deep love for her family, teaching, Penn State football and travel, she opened her home to many foreign exchange students and maintained a lifelong relationship with them.

She was an amazing woman, and in many ways ahead of her time, showing great strength in the face of any challenge, while showing great love and tenderness to all who knew her.

Her survivors include a son Robert Knerr of Cape May, N.J.; daughters Barbara Mantz and husband, Barry, of New Tripoli, Marlene “Myke” Atwater and husband, Pete King, of Valparaiso, Fla., and Kelly DeYoreo and husband, Jim, of Clayton, Calif.; sister Arlene and husband, Morton Williams, of Sugar Grove; grandchildren Scott, Laura, Katie, Casey, Ashley, Maria, Sarah and Patrick; and great-grandchildren Anna Rose, Jack, Jordan and Isla.

In addition to her parents and loving husband, she was predeceased by brothers Walt, Hap, Ralph, Bill and Bobby, and sisters Vivian, Florence and May.

Private services will be held at Keller Funeral Homes Inc., Fogelsville.

Condolences may be offered at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or online at stjude.org.