Karen W. Staudinger, 90 years, of Green Pond, NJ, formerly of Elmwood Park and Melbourne Beach, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Born on Feb. 16, 1928 in Paterson, NJ, to the late Peter J. Wiarda (raised by Joseph Wiarda) and the late Mary (Peterson) Wiarda.
Karen married Joseph Staudinger in 1949 and resided and raised their family in Elmwood Park, spending their summers in Green Pond, where they moved permanently in 1984.
Karen was predeceased by her “Mr. Wonderful,” husband of 66 years, Joseph Staudinger in 2015 as well as her siblings Ruth Beckmann, and Peter and Martin Wiarda.
She attended The Berkeley School of Business and William Paterson University. For more than 25 years, Karen was an executive secretary for the Elmwood Park Department of Special Services until she retired.
She was active in many community groups including the East Paterson Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Green Pond First Aid Squad and the Women’s Chapel Club of Green Pond.
She enjoyed painting, stitching, and cooking, especially baking.
Karen made friends with ease and will best be remembered for her selfless and kind heart, infectious smile and welcoming arms.
Karen is survived by her five loving children: Linda Kay and her husband Warren of Tabernacle, NJ; Joanne Fantry and her husband George of Little Egg Harbor, NJ; Nancy Sliker and her husband Glenn of Mercerville, NJ; Kenneth Staudinger and his wife Christine of North Canton, OH; and Kristen Silvestri and her husband Mark of Newfoundland, NJ. A devoted grandmother of fourteen: Lindsay (Solensky), Thomas and Christopher Kay; Michael and Rebecca Fantry; Jessica, Jaime and Timothy Sliker; KellyAnn (Butterworth), Kenneth and Matthew Staudinger; and Steven, Sarah and Kyle Silvestri.
Karen was further blessed with eleven great-grandchildren: Andrew and Evan Solensky, Gemma Kay, Olivia and McKenna Kay, Ava and Mia Fantry, Shane and Madelyn Sliker, Bryce and most recently Jace Butterworth.
Services to celebrate her life were on March 4 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 La Rue Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435.
The funeral mass was held on March 5 at 10 a.m. at St. Simon’s Catholic Church, 1010 Green Pond Road, Green Pond, NJ 07435.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karen’s memory to the Women’s Chapel Club of Green Pond, PO Box 123, Newfoundland, NJ 07435; or to the Green Pond First Aid Squad, PO Box 251, Newfoundland, NJ 07435; or to Alzheimer’s New Jersey, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, #203, Roseland, NJ 07068 Attn: Development Dept.
Log onto www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com tribute wall to personally post your condolences, memories, photos, and videos, as well as obtaining driving directions to the funeral home.