Susanna Karst

Susanna Karst, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, September 4th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her loving husband John, her parents George and Susanna Sollner (Hartig), her sisters Rosie and Maria, her son John Karst, and her grandchildren Kelly Beery and John Karst.

On May 23rd, 1931 Susanna was born in Botsch, Siebenbürgen (Transylvania, Romania) where she grew up in a close-knit community of fellow Transylvanian Saxons. For anyone who had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with her, it would instantly become clear that Susanna had lived through and experienced a lot in her 92 years. At only 7 years old Susanna and her sisters tragically lost their parents within two years of each other to illness. The sisters were taken in by their grandfather and grandmother, Michael and Marie Hartig. In 1942 at age 11, due to the progression of events in WWII, Susanna along with her family and much of her community, were forced to flee their homes. Traveling by wagon and on foot, they made the daunting journey to Salzburg, Austria in the midst of the war. In 1951, Susanna married her husband John and within a year they immigrated to the United States after the birth of their first child Rosemarie. After getting settled in Ohio, John and Susanna welcomed their daughter Mary, and two sons, John and Richard into the world. Susanna stayed home to raise her children and became an active member of the Martin Luther Evangelical Church and later Peace Lutheran where she often put her cooking skills to use by helping to prepare and serve many meals. She was also a member of the Saxon Club and over the years remained in close contact with many of the friends and family she had immigrated with.

Susanna and John loved traveling, whether that meant spending time at Lake Erie with friends and family on their boat, or planning trips all over the US and Europe. Between raising her 4 children, tending to her gardens and animals, constantly cooking, baking and opening her home to friends and family, there was rarely a dull moment in her life. Over the years, Susanna’s family grew to 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved spending time with. She was always happy to host family gatherings of every variety and could often be found sitting quietly and happily amidst her fun-loving rambunctious family.

The family will receive friends at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. Gahanna, 43230 on Monday, September 11th, from 4 pm to 7 pm. The funeral service will be held at Schoedinger Northeast on Tuesday, September 12th at 11 am. Pastor Doug Warburton will officiate. Interment to follow at Headley Cemetery.

Susanna and her family enjoyed contributing to many charitable organizations. Her family ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions are made in Susanna’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project or The Make A Wish Foundation.