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

She graduated from William Allen High School in 1954. She earned her Bachelors in Health and Human Services from Penn State University in 1958. In her earlier career, she worked at UGI Corporation. Gretel owned The Cooking Company, a Catering Business she ran with her friends serving the Lehigh Valley area. She also taught Culinary Arts. She was a member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Coopersburg, Allentown Woman's Club, Allentown Symphony Association, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Penn State Alumni Association.

Gretel loved gardening, cats, and sewing. She was very proud of her Penn State educational roots. Gretel is survived by her husband Charles; daughter, Katie Reichenbach and her husband Erik and grandson, Kevin Rosenberger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, 5050 Saint Josephs Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036. Visitation will be held prior from 9:00-10:00 AM. Inurnment will be in Saint Joseph Calvary Cemetery. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gretel's memory to Animals in Distress P.O. Box 609, 5075 Limeport Pike Coopersburg, PA 18036 or Allentown Symphony Association 23 N 6th Street, Allentown, PA 18101.