Gretel S. Ruppert, 87, of Center Valley, died Dec. 10, 2023, in her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Charles V. Ruppert with whom she shared 64 years of marriage. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Henry A. and Catharine (Dawson) Soltys.

She graduated from William Allen High School in 1954 and earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from Penn State University in 1958.

In her earlier career, she worked at UGI Corporation.

She owned The Cooking Company, a catering business she ran with her friends serving the Lehigh Valley area. She taught culinary arts.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Coopersburg.

She was a member of the Allentown Woman’s Club, Allentown Symphony Association, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Penn State Alumni Association.

She loved gardening, cats and sewing. She was very proud of her Penn State educational roots.

She is survived by her husband; daughter, Katie and her husband, Erik Reichenbach; grandson, Kevin Rosenberger.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Animals in Distress, P.O. Box 609, 5075 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg, 18036 or the Allentown Symphony Association, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown, 18101.

Arrangements were made by the Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus.