Gene L. Kutney

Gene LaRue (Rice) Kutney, 100, of Walnutport, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025 in Phoebe Home, Allentown. She was the widow of Robert C. Kutney, who died in 2001. 

Born in Slatington, she was the eldest of the five daughters of George and Dorothy (Evans) Rice, proprietors of the Rice & Evans Restaurant. She was a graduate of Slatington High School in the class of 1942. She married Robert, a sergeant in the Pennsylvania State Police, on March 24, 1948, and they were married until his death in 2001.

Gene was a deeply patriotic American who voted in every election and loved her country, witnessing 18 Presidents in her lifetime. Her favorite pastime was reading. She was also an avid Phillies fan who rarely missed a game, and an animal lover who was never without at least one pet in her home. Gene was a member of Bethel UCC in Slatington. Dearest of all to her was her large family, assisting with childcare for many throughout the years. 

Survivors: Son Robert G. and partner Ann Edwards of Slatington; son Brian and wife Jane of Summerville, SC; grandsons, Dale Phillips, Steven Kutney and wife Tara, and Chris Kutney and wife Leslie; five great-grandchildren, Samuel, Evan, Hailey, Madelyn, and Raegan; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat, Chyna. She was predeceased by her daughter, Donna Stettler.

Services: A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in the Harding Funeral Home, Inc., 25-27 N. Second Street, Slatington. A viewing for relatives and friends will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Slatington.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, may be made to the Slatington Public Library, 650 Main Street, Slatington, PA 18080 or to Bethel UCC, 160 4th Street, Slatington, PA 18080.