Martha Mae Knight-Kurtz, 98, of Palmyra, went home to be with Jesus, peacefully, on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at StoneRidge Town Centre Retirement Living Community, Myerstown. She was born Saturday, July 7, 1923 to the late James L. and Jennie (Schaffner) Jefferies. She was predeceased by her first husband, Floyd Knight since 1984 and her second husband Rev. Ray Kurtz since 1997.
Martha was a graduate of the Heidelburg Township High School, Schaefferstown, PA class of 1941. She was a lifelong member and officer of the Sunshine class at St. Johns EC Church, Steelstown, she was an artist who loved to paint, especially windows, around Christmas time. Martha was a jigsaw puzzle queen she also played both softball and basketball and received letters for both. She also enjoyed playing the marimba xylophone and guitar. Later in life, around age 65 she picked up the hobby of golfing.
For work, Martha was at W.L. Krieders Shoe Factory, Hershey Chocolate Factory, Olivetti Underwood Factory and also the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home. After retirement, she volunteered over 5,000 hours to the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, Palmyra. Most importantly she was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her children: Elaine C. Brandt, Sandra L. Unger and husband James R., and Floyd R. Knight and wife Jerrie M.; grandchildren; Brenda Startoni and husband Marc, David Brandt and wife Lynn, Tiffany Behney and husband Chris, Matthew Unger and Mandy Taylor, Marc Unger, Heather Knight, Erica Knight, and Laura Zerphey; great-grandchildren, Malcolm Smith, Logan Startoni, Austin Startoni and wife Kayla, Keaton Startoni, Jacob Brandt, Joshua Brandt, Ella Brandt, Nicholas Behney, Kirsten Behney, Korinn Behney, Brittany Burns and husband Jordan, Brayden Unger, Darin Unger, Alexis Unger, Halayna Unger, Kevin Schneck, Sierra Schneck, Kaine Morris, Makenzie Knight, Marissa Knight, Jadin Zerphey, and Parker Zerphey; and great-great grandchildren, Javion and Cohen Startoni. She is predeceased by her siblings, Staff Sgt. Howard J. Jefferies, James E. Jefferies, and Verna Jefferies-Jones.
A viewing will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Evangelical Congregational Church Cemetery, 683 Steelstown Rd., Annville, PA 17003. A memorial service will follow the graveside at the church at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the StoneRidge Town Centre Community, 3rd Floor, 7 W. Park Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067.
