Christine Barbara Kuruna (Rehrig)

Christine B. Kuruna, 76, of Middleburg, died suddenly at her home in the evening of Dec. 13, 2024.

She was born on Jan. 6, 1948 in Lehighton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Clara Rehrig; and our son, Benjamin.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel, to whom she was married for 52 years; and our son, Nathan Kuruna his wife, Teagan; and our granddaughter, Lia; as well as her stepson, Daniel Kuruna, his partner, Justine Jentes; and our grandson, Laszlo.

Chris’ education included a degree from Wilson College in early childhood education and a masters degree in administration from Bucknell University. She taught first grade in the Lower East Side of New York City, and spent a considerable part of her salary buying supplies for the children in her classroom.

When we moved to Morgantown, W. Va. for Dan to finish his MSW degree, she learned to drive stick shift and became an itinerant teacher for children of all ages who had to be at home. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, as there were no teaching positions in Sunbury, she became the director of the Sunbury Day Care Center in Zion Church and expanded the program county-wide. Later, as a division of SUM Child Development, she managed a million-dollar federal daycare subsidy program for Union, Snyder and Mifflin counties until 2005.

Chris was diagnosed with MS in 2001 and degenerative disc/joint disease in 2006. She was the brilliant combination of gorgeous and tough and she made every day count. Her gift was to make everything grow, her plants, her cats, her gardens, her children, friends and colleagues. She always stressed that our farm had to be “a welcoming home,” which meant good food, good wine and phenomenal cheesecake.

There will be no service or burial at this time, given the winter weather. We will have a memorial gathering at our farm in the spring.

Arrangements are by the V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove.