Obituary of Kari Liseth
Kari Liseth passed away peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2021 in the comfort of her own home surrounded by her loving daughters, Heidi Shomer and Robin Carmody, and her caretaking angel, Barbara Barnett.
Kari was born on July 13, 1926 in the city of Trondheim, Norway. Over the course of the next 94 years, she squeezed in many adventures and experiences, never letting life’s obstacles and challenges get in her way.
During her school years in Norway, she experienced Nazi occupation and Kari and her sister were sent to a work camp. While some might have learned to hate from this experience, she always made it a point to say that it was Nazis that occupied Norway and that future generations of Germans should not be hated because of what the Nazis did during World War II.
After high school, she went to the US for a visit and spent time both in New York and California. She returned to Norway but once again felt the travel bug. She returned to the US for a second trip and like many Norwegians of that time lived in Brooklyn, NY. On weekends she traveled to the BUL Norwegian Club in Lake Telemark, NJ. It was there that she met her future husband, Oddvin Liseth. They married in 1958 and made their home in Rockaway Township. They had a long and loving marriage until his death in 2001.
Kari was proud of her Norwegian heritage but also immensely proud to become a US citizen. Her daughters can also attest to the fact that Kari had an impeccable command of the English language and they were corrected on their grammar on many occasions!! Not one to keep her knowledge to herself, she took pleasure in teaching her loving caretaker Barbara some Norwegian. When she felt Barbara knew enough Norwegian words, she then began to teach Barbara some German words.
Throughout her life Kari was a true friend to many and a role model for her daughters Heidi and Robin. She was a talented baker and would often be asked to share her Norwegian waffles and cookies at social gatherings and church bazaars. She was a member of the Sons of Norway Nor-Bu Lodge, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and volunteer shopper for Morris View Nursing Home. Along with her friends she also kept in great physical shape by taking daily walks in Marcella. At times, this group would see bears. The bears were wise enough to retreat when they encountered this powerful group of ladies!
She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, humor, strong work ethic and dedication to friends and family. While Kari has gone on to her next adventure, she made sure her values were instilled in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She leaves behind some wonderful memories and life lessons for her daughters Heidi (Israel) Shomer, Robin (Gerald III “Jerry”) Carmody, stepson Paul-Roy (Torunn) Pallesen, grandchildren Rachel (David) Kelly, Paige (Craig) Kennedy, Gerald IV “Jerry”, Kari, and Muireann Carmody, Anne Christin (Magnus) Halstensen, Paul (Melora) Pallesen, and Roy (Rowena) Pallesen, and her treasured great-grandchildren, Claire Kelly, Theodore “Theo” Kennedy, Noah Pallesen, Hannah Celine, Rebecca Christin, Ingrid Caroline, Ole Magnus, and Maria Camomilla Halstensen, and her loyal friend, caregiver, and companion, Barbara Barnett. She will be dearly missed by family and friends but remembered for her kindness, smile, and love of life.
Due to COVID-19, there will be a celebration of life at a later date when everyone can gather safely and celebrate. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by clicking on this link.
Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Kari here to continue to celebrate the phenomenal life.
Heidi, Robin, and Paul would like to thank everyone who has showed kindness and love to Kari throughout her 94 years. Please pass on her lessons of kindness, love and laughter.
