Katharine “Kate” (Miller) Biesecker, 94, of Waynesboro, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025 after suffering from complications of a sudden fall. Born April 1, 1930 in Quincy, PA, she was the daughter of the late Fred Ebert and Mary Irene (Rock) Miller, and was a lifelong resident of the Waynesboro area.
Kate was a Class of 1948 graduate of Waynesboro High School, where she was a member of the girls basketball team and cheerleading squad, and inaugural member of the “W Club”, a society that recognized high achievement in athletics and academics. Prior to this, only boys were members of this society. A talented high school basketball player of her time, she was lovingly referred to as “half court Kate”, able to score from the half court line. Kate continued this love of athletics as a high school basketball referee in the 1960s, and was an active supporter of high school athletic teams throughout her life. She also loved singing in church and school choirs and quartets for many decades and played the viola throughout her junior and senior high school years.
A 1950 graduate of Maryland Medical Secretarial School, Kate served as a professional secretary throughout her life, first at Landis Tool Company, subsequently as Secretary to the East Junior High Principal, and ultimately as Secretary for the Superintendent of Schools for 30 years until her retirement in 1993. In her retirement, Kate went on to donate her time and secretarial skills for more than 20 years to the Waynesboro Hospital Auxiliary.
Kate and her husband, Donald Biesecker, Sr., were married on Easter Day of April 9, 1950, and enjoyed 77 years of friendship together building a life that focused on their work, home, and family. Known always to Don as “Katharine”, they were high school sweethearts since 1948 and stayed in constant contact even after Don moved to Shook Home in Chambersburg in January 2022. Kate continued to do all of her own laundry, cooking, and bills, but more recently enjoyed attending lunches with her neighbors and friends at the Waynesboro Senior Center and accepting help from a devoted housekeeper. She felt indebted to her neighbors and friends for their constant attentions and favors while living on 2nd Street for 55 years.
Kate was extremely proud of her 4 children and 7 grandchildren, as well as her many nieces and nephews. They greatly enjoyed her April Fool’s birthdays and sharing their lives with her. One of her favorite pastimes was attending their athletic events, and music and dance performances over many decades. She and Don were their biggest fans. In addition, she enjoyed the outdoors, especially watching birds from her kitchen window, was an avid reader, strong advocate of access to public education, and member of Waynesboro YMCA, Alexander Hamilton Memorial Library, and Renfrew Museum.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children: daughter, Carroll Biesecker of Vineyard Haven, MA, son, Donald L. Biesecker, Jr. and his wife, Billie of Waynesboro, daughter, Jean Biesecker and her husband, Paul DiLorenzo of Bala Cynwyd, PA, and Laura Biesecker and her husband, Craig Coulter of Waynesboro; five grandchildren: Amanda Staley (Matt), Liam Coulter, Aidan Coulter, Emma Coulter and Quinn Coulter; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two grandsons, Joshua T. Biesecker and Chad A. Biesecker; one brother, Max Miller; and one sister, Dorothy Bollinger of Waynesboro.
Private graveside services will be held for immediate family on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro. A Celebration of Kate’s Life is being planned for the late spring/early summer of 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alexander Memorial Library, 45 E. Main St., Waynesboro, PA 17268, are appreciated.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro PA, is handling the arrangements.
