Lydia Krack

     Lydia Huff Krack, 96, of Erie, passed away on Monday, June 27,  2011.  Lydia was born in Renovo, Pennsylvania on January 31, 1915,  to William W. Huff and Elizabeth Strouse Huff.  Her family moved from Renovo to Erie in 1916.  Lydia graduated from Erie Academy High School  in 1932, and from Edinboro State Teachers College (Edinboro Normal School) in 1934.
     She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Clarence Krack, in 1998; by four of her siblings: Esther (James) Beamer, Verna (Charles) Weir, William E. (Vivian) Huff, and Harold Timmy Huff; and by her life-long best friend, Alta (Donald) Shepard.  She is survived by her three children: sons William Krack and Howard (Janet) Krack of Erie, and daughter Charlotte (Daniel) Waugh of Seattle, Washington; by three sisters: Olive Pifer, Alice Krack, and Elaine (Claude) Sturtevant; by her beloved "associate" sister, Catherine Zimmerman, all of Erie. She will be missed by grandchildren Susan Spafford of Harrison, NJ, Kenneth (Nina) Spafford and their daughter Elena of Erie, and Maximilian (Jennifer) Waugh of Seattle, Washington; and by dozens of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews in Erie and across the country.
     Lydia taught at the Bethesda School in Meadville, then in specialized sight-conservation classes in Erie, and as a third-grade teacher at both Emerson and Perry Schools.  In 1977 she was nominated as Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Erie Education Association. She retired from Perry School in 1977.
     She played the violin at Academy High School where she participated in the state-wide orchestra in Philadelphia in 1931, and resumed again in retirement, playing for many years with the Erie Civic Orchestra.
     A life-long member of St John's Lutheran Church, Lydia was active in the Ruth Guild and Women of St. John's, and taught in the Sunday School. She served for many years in the Auxiliary of the Lutheran Home at Luther Square.
     Friends may call at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St., Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. until the time of service there at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Roy P. Washill of St. John's Lutheran Church will officiate.  Burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 2216 Peach St., Erie, PA 16502; or to a charity of the donor's choice.