Obituary of Anne Elizabeth Ziegenfuss Kouk

Anne Elizabeth Ziegenfuss Kouk, 83, widow of Wilbur Harry George “Bud” Kouk, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at National Healthcare in Sumter. Born in Palmerton, PA on March 17, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Henry Edward Ziegenfuss and Helen Rutman Ziegenfuss. Mrs. Kouk served as Senior Class President and graduated from Eastern High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She played Varsity Basketball, Softball, and Field Hockey while attending there. She graduated later from Baltimore Business College and was employed by Black and Decker. In 1945, Mrs. Kouk met her husband of 42 years while they both sang in the Aisquith Presbyterian Church Choir, Baltimore, and were married there on June 2, 1951. Mrs. Kouk served as an American Red Cross Director for over 20 years in Martinsville, VA. She was also an avid reader, bridge player, and later, a choir member at Beaufort First Presbyterian Church. She loved the outdoors, especially at her home on the Intracoastal Waterway on St. Helena Island. Her happiest times there were with her friends, family, and especially her grandchildren, while they were boating, fishing, casting nets for shrimp and bait, catching and steaming blue crabs, and digging clams and oysters. She smiled with joy when she was called “Mema.” Surviving to cherish her memory are a son, Robert Staley “Bob” Kouk (Anne Chappee), of Conroe, TX; a daughter, Beth Kouk Baker (Freddie), of Sumter; five grandchildren, Kristen Anne Kouk of Dallas, TX; Robert Davis Kouk of Denton, TX; Karoline Staley Kouk of Conroe, TX; Scott Ferrell Cothran (April), of Mount Pleasant; and step-granddaughter, Collis Baker Beebe (Ross), of New Bern, NC; two great-grandchildren, Hunter Anne Cothran and Miles Ferrell Cothran; two step-great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Blanding Beebe and Rutledge Ingram Beebe; and her dear friend, Paulette Meier, of St. Helena Island. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Kouk was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Edward Ziegenfuss. The family wishes to thank the Magnolia Hall Staff at National Healthcare for their loving care over the last three years. They also express gratitude for comforting care by Amedisys Hospice. Dr. Mayes DuBose and Carolina Geriatric Specialists loved and treated Mrs. Kouk for over nine years. Words cannot express the family’s appreciation to them. A Memorial Service will be held at 5 P.M. Saturday, August 8, at the Church of the Holy Comforter, with the Reverend Canon D. Joseph Rhodes officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Parish Hall. Inurnment of ashes will be at the Beaufort National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sumter Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1155 N. Guignard Drive, Suite 2, Sumter, SC 29150 or to the Beaufort First Presbyterian Church Choir, 1201 Church St., Beaufort, SC 29902. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.