Elaine (VanRiper) Houseknecht

Elaine Houseknecht, age 80, longtime resident of 8236 County Road 131, gained her angel wings on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA following a brief hospitalization.

Elaine was born in Geneva on January 17, 1943, a daughter of the late Alburtus and Catharine (nee Goodge) VanRiper. After graduation, she was married to Harold “Earl” Houseknecht on June 25, 1960, and began working at Willard Psychiatric Hospital, she then transferred to Sampson State Hospital and then to Newark. While at Newark State School, she obtained her nursing degree, to return to Willard and ultimately spent several years at VanDyke Addiction Treatment Center, with a total of 48 years of state service.  She was still working per diem at VanDyke and had recently renewed her nursing license. Elaine was an avid Bingo player, loved shopping, hunting, fishing, gardening, baking and along with Earl, had traveled extensively throughout the US in their motorhome. Elaine was always thrilled to spend time with her family and catching up with friends. She had been a member of the Lodi Rod & Gun Club, Red Hat Society and participated in Seneca County 4-H.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Earl; her children, , Penny (Frank) Hoerner of Ellicotville, Terry Houseknecht of Interlaken and Misty (Lou) Zambuto of Phelps; her grandchildren, Shannon (Edison) Barrios, Cheyne Hoerner, Bucky and Tyler Houseknecht, Camden and Lexie Zambuto; her great grandchildren, Hailey and Gracie Houseknecht and Gabriel Barrios; her siblings, LeRoy VanRiper of PA, Loretta Bates of FL, Judie Brown of OH and Sandra Stewart of MD and a large extended family. Elaine was preceded in death by her granddaughter, MacKenzie Zambuto, great grandson, Matthew Houseknecht and siblings, Jerry VanRiper and Diane Moore.

The family will receive friends at Covert Funeral Home in Ovid on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. A graveside service will be held at Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken on Monday, November 6th at 11:00am. Kindly consider a donation in Elaine’s memory to the Seneca County 4-H or the Lodi Rod and Gun Club.

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