Obituaries

Helma (Gurzinski) Hoepken, age 81, a longtime resident of Scranton and native of Germany, passed away Sunday evening at Allied Hospice Center after an illness. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Herman Hoepken, on December 4, 2005.
Born in Gelsenkirch, Germany, on February 13, 1939, Helma was the daughter of the late Johann and Auguste (Plewka) Gurzinski. Along with her husband, Helma moved to the United States in 1961 before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1967.
She was a graduate with honors from Allied Medical Center’s medical assistant program before becoming a phlebotomist prior to her retirement.
She is survived by her siblings, Herbert Gurzinski and wife Marlis and Ursula Harms, all of Germany; nieces, nephews and many dear friends in the local community..
Private arrangements are under the care of the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton. Please visit the funeral home’s website to leave a condolence.