Kristen Jean Reitz, 46, went peacefully to be with her Lord on February 19, 2025. She was born in New Hartford, New York, on August 29, 1978, to Kevin and Wendy Petrie. Following his death in 1981, she was adopted by Karl Bratt when he and Wendy married in 1984. Kristen had a lifelong love of learning and teaching. She graduated from Newark High School in 1996 and then Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, PA) in 2000 where she was awarded the Outstanding Senior Student in Family Studies for Leadership and Academics. After college, she worked as a caseworker and activities therapist at Philhaven Psychiatric Hospital in Mt. Gretna, PA, a therapist at the Keystone Center in Harrisburg, PA, a counselor in a therapeutic day treatment program in Richmond, VA, and then an adult case manager and psycho-social rehabilitation program manager at Community Counseling Services in Columbus, MS while she pursued a Master of Science in Counseling Education at Mississippi State University. For the last 15 years, she was an adjunct professor at Luzerne County Community College, Northumberland Campus, in Shamokin, PA, and an Adjunct Professor of Human Development and Family Science at Messiah University. In 2023, she was awarded the Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award at Messiah University. Kristen had a strong and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ as her Savior, making a public profession of her faith as a teenager, and living by that faith throughout her life. She was deeply committed to her family and especially relished her role as a mom. She was an avid reader and active member of a local book club, where she found lasting relationships and stimulating discussions. She loved music and could remember countless lyrics. She found joy in good food and travel with family and friends. One of God’s gifts to Kristen was a warm, joyful, and generous spirit that led to and sustained friendships in every season and location of her life. She will be treasured and dearly missed by a host of people who had the privilege and joy of calling her a friend. Her community of friends gave her and her family tremendous joy, love, and support until the very end of her life. Kristen married Lloyd V. Reitz, Jr. in 2004 and is survived by him and their three children: Collette (15), Trey (13), and Elliott (10). She is also survived by her brothers Chris (Palmyra, NY) and Tim (Natchitoches, LA), and her parents, Karl and Wendy Bratt (Paxinos, PA). We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Kristen and gathering to lift our prayers together. Calling hours will be at First Baptist Church, Danville, PA on Monday, February 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Tuesday at 10:00 am. Her funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 25 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Danville, followed by luncheon at the church with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church Fellowship Fund.