Karen A. Usselmann

LITTLE FALLS - Karen Usselmann, age 79, a longtime resident of both Little Falls and Salisbury, New York passed away in Aiken, South Carolina, on March 23, 2025. She was at her daughter's home surrounded by her children, grandchildren and loved ones.

Karen was born July 23, 1945, in Little Falls, the daughter of the late Francis and Catherine (Keefe) Van Allen. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, class of 1963. She furthered her education by becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. Karen was united in marriage to the late Peter Usselmann on August 26, 1967, and enjoyed 39 years of love, shared dreams and happiness before Peter's passing on July 24, 2007.

She worked for over 40 years at Van Allen Nursing Home in Little Falls alongside many of her close family members. Karen moved to Aiken, South Carolina a few years ago and embraced her new life there. She very much enjoyed the warm climate, lived close to her daughter's family, adored her beautiful home and sweet neighbors, and made some amazing new friends that she regularly had outings with.

She devoted her life to caring for those around her. She took great joy in the simplest of things - making her home beautiful, tending to her flower garden, DIY crafts, taking photos, shopping, traveling or sharing sweet moments with her loved ones. Her warm smile, kindness and endless love touched all who were fortunate to know her. Karen was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend who always put others before herself.

Survivors include two sons, John Usselmann and wife Debbie of Arcadia, California, and Daniel Usselmann and partner Ania Babiarz of Bartlett, Illinois. Two daughters, Kristen Culpepper and husband Christopher of Beech Island, South Carolina, and Terese Cargen and husband Robert of Salisbury, New York. She also leaves behind her brother, Francis Van Allen of Falmouth, Massachusetts and her sister Kathe Markwardt of Mohawk, New York. Several in-laws that will miss her as well, including Theresa Van Allen, Lois Van Allen, Mary Crawford, and Louis and Jane Pinto.

Karen was a devoted grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Maya, Jacob, and Claire Cargen, Brandon, Kelly, Alyssa, and Jamie Culpepper, Riley, Alexis, and Ryan Usselmann, and Michael Usselmann. She adored spending time with her one sweet great granddaughter, Phoebe Wright. She has several nieces, nephews and her beloved companion Bob Williams that she loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Jere Van Allen and William Van Allen, brothers-in-law Fred Markwardt, Walter Crawford and sister-in-law Carol Van Allen.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, New York. Following visitation, friends and relatives are invited to attend Karen's funeral service at 11:00am at Holy Family Parish, corner of John St./E. Main St. Little Falls, New York where her funeral mass will be celebrated by Father Mark Reilly. Procession will then follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Herkimer where she will be laid to rest.

In lieu of floral offerings, expressions of sympathy may be in the form of mass cards and prayers offered for Karen to Holy Family Parish Little Falls/St. Joseph's Catholic Church Dolgeville. Memorial contributions may also be made to Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home for these purposes.

Karen’s loving obituary tribute will appear on the funeral home website at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.

Enea, Ciaccia, & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 823-2424.