lma Matilda Plutschak Burkett, our beloved mother and grandmother, quietly slipped away while holding the hand of her daughter, Terry, at Abington Manor Nursing Home. She had been a resident for only a few days. She is now at peace with her husband, grandson and many family members who predeceased her. Alma was 97.

Alma was born on April 20, 1914, in Preston, Md., to Edward and Augusta Kleinschmidt Plutschak. She was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Preston, and graduated from Preston High School. Alma worked in Read's Drug Store, Easton, Md., and for Home Mutual Life Insurance, Easton.

She also worked in the oil-testing laboratory at Sinclair Refining Co. during World War II in Marcus Hook, Pa.

On Feb. 26, 1938, Alma married Raymond S. Burkett Jr. and they resided in Brookhaven, Pa., for many years until moving to Clarks Summit in 1977.

She is survived by a daughter, Terry of Clarks Summit and two grandsons, Bret of Clarks Summit and Ryan of Tampa, Fla. Also a sister, Mabel Cole of Easton, Md.; and a brother, Ernest Plutschak of Hurlock, Md.

In addition to her parents, husband and grandson, Jeffrey Bockelkamp, she was preceded in death by six brothers, Paul, August, William, Herman, Elmer and Carl Plutschak; and five sisters Agnes Dietrich, Hilda White, Lily Harper, Clara Tjaden and Louise Wright.

Alma loved nature and especially enjoyed working in her garden, feeding the birds and in her younger years tending to 50 award- winning rose bushes. She adored her three grandsons and telling them stories of her childhood growing up on the family farm and of their fishing and crabbing on Maryland's Eastern Shore. She was a gentle woman who stressed the importance of kindness, thoughtfulness and consideration to others, of which she was a good example. She will always be a part of us, forever missed and never forgotten.

Alma's family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Jaditz and his office staff, the Abington Manor nursing, physical therapy and office staff for their dedication to excellent patient care and Compassionate Care Hospice for the concern and kindness throughout the many months they spent with her.

The funeral will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. from the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, with services by the Rev. George J. Mathews, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Clarks Summit. Interment will follow in Abington Hills Cemetery.

Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.law renceeyoungfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or to the Jeffrey T. Bockelkamp Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Terry Bockelkamp, 111 Sally Drive, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.