Beatrice "Betty" Ahner

1925 - 2016

Mrs. Beatrice
"Betty" Ahner
Mrs. Beatrice "Betty" Ahner, 90, passed over peacefully on Monday, April 4. Her room at the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center had been her home for the past five years due to debilitating effects of a stroke. Her family, including her beloved dog, Belle, gathered around her to support her release into the loving hands of God.
Born in Long Run, she was a daughter of the late George and Eva (Ahner) Kromer. She moved with her parents and brothers, Kermit and Reuben, to Palmerton at the age of three. Betty was very proud to have graduated from Palmerton High School in 1944.
In her younger years, Betty was a seamstress at the former Scotty's Mills, both in Palmerton and Lehighton. As a teenager, she sewed uniforms for the servicemen of World War II.
She married the Love of Her Life, Elmer E. "Junior" Ahner, and the couple moved back to Long Run, where they raised their family of three children: George (deceased in 2000), Kevin (deceased in 1973) and Evalynn. Their life together became difficult when Elmer became stricken with an illness that would leave him debilitated.
Betty's calling was to be a caregiver - she tended to her proud husband until his passing in 1973. The Lord later called upon her to use her strengths and talents as a caregiver through service to her parents and her brother Reuben, until their passing.
After living in Long Run for 30 years, she agreed to relocate to East Penn Township to be closer to her surviving family. She continued to use her talents to serve others by being her family's unofficial housekeeper and dog-sitter. But her most treasured position was sharing in the raising of her only grandchild - Kira.
She once wrote to Kira: "My precious granddaughter Kira - you already made Nana proud. You are so special. God sent you to your mom, dad and all of us when we needed happiness in our lives. You are a wonderful blessing to all of us … when I leave you all to be with God and my family in Heaven, I will tell them all about you - I'm sure they already know - but I'll make sure. Love you, Nana Banana."
Through the years, she served her church, Long Run Church of the Brethren, as a Sunday school teacher and a council representative. She took her position as church treasurer very seriously, so seriously that one time when she couldn't get to the bank, she hid the money in a very safe place. However, when it came time to make the deposit, she realized that she had hid the money so well that she could not find it! Although she was a staunchly independent woman, she called on her family to assist in the search. Her beloved daughter Evalynn, her son-in-law, Dennis Kuehner, and their daughter Kira came to her aid and the mystery was solved. She soon resigned that position for one that held less liability.
As a young woman, she also traveled to different churches in the area, singing as party of the Kromer Trio - Betty, Dot and Mable Kromer. Her love of music continued even through to her last breath. While living at the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, she enjoyed attending the church services and hymn sings. The staff recognized the joy that music brought to her and often sang with her while completing everyday activities. They became an extended family to her - giving her dignity while attending to her needs - and, most of all, giving her love.
She spent her last moments here with us listening to a recording of the 2016 Carbon County Band performing an arrangement of "It Is Well with My Soul." I know that she appreciated that accompaniment to her transition to be with the rest of her family in Heaven.
She is survived by her daughter Evalynn, wife of Dennis Kuehner of Lehighton, and granddaughter Kira.
She was predeceased by two sons, George Ahner and Kevin Ahner; and two brothers, Kermit Kromer and Reuben Kromer.
Service: Private funeral service at convenience of family. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, 137 Fairview St., Lehighton. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Carbon County Animal Shelter, c/o the funeral home, 18235.