Karen Tolocka (nee JanTausch), 77, of Old Bridge, NJ, died on December 21, 2023 after her long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Newark, NJ, on July 6, 1946, daughter of the late Henry and Florence JanTausch.

Karen went to school in the Middlesex County Public School system. After graduating high school, she attended Middlesex County College and received her degree in Nursing. She began her career at Summerhill Nursing Home and worked in a variety of positions, including Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, focusing on psychiatric medicine.

Karen married Frank Tolocka in 1966 and had two sons together, Frankie and Michael. They divorced in 1981, remarried in 1984 and divorced again in 1992.

Karen was an accomplished pianist, an expert in needlework, and an excellent cook. She also loved animals. When she was a child, she was known for bringing home every stray in the neighborhood. She had dogs and cats throughout her life who she loved very much.

She is survived by her sons, Frankie and his three children, Matthew, Breanna, and Ashley of Woodbridge NJ as well as Michael and his two children, Henry and Elaine of Durham, North Carolina. She is also survived by two siblings, Henry JanTausch and Paula Kvetkosky, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Karen to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org). Her family is especially grateful to Cardinal Care of Dunn, NC who took care of her in her last days.