Kathleen (Zednik) Wenzel of Emmaus passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026. She was reunited with her beloved husband of 65 years, the late Joseph Wenzel, who passed away earlier this year. Born at home in Bethlehem on November 22, 1940, to the late John and Olga (Hujcs) Zednik, Kathleen grew up understanding the importance of family and faith.

To know Kathleen was to be welcomed, cared for, and fed. She took immense pride in keeping a warm, inviting home where the door was always open and a dish could be whipped up for anyone who walked through it. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, filled with the comforting aromas of her famous chicken paprika, freshly baked apple pie, and kiffles.

Kathleen’s greatest joy was her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She poured her heart into caring for her husband, Joe, and raising her four children: Joe, Lisa, Christine, and Stephanie. Her grandchildren cherished every moment spent with their Nana, from comforting bathtimes and bedtime stories to cozy snuggles and waking up after sleepovers to a fresh plate of her legendary french toast. Her life was a testament to deep, selfless love, leaving behind cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Kathleen worked at St. Luke’s prior to starting a family, and once her children were grown, she returned to work at Stewart Sandwiches, Weaver’s Gems and Minerals, and eventually Piercing Pagoda before retiring. For Kathleen, these jobs were really about the people; she made wonderful friends along the way, and she continued getting together monthly to play cards with her former coworkers turned friends. She also loved her neighbors and neighborhood, especially the summer days spent volunteering at Meadow Pool during swim meets. In her quiet moments at home, she found joy in life’s simple pleasures: reading a good Amish book, crafting, knitting, and sewing.

She is survived by her loving children: Joseph Wenzel Jr. of Emmaus, Lisa Schoch and her husband David of Alburtis, Christine Conway of Slatington, and Stephanie Krasely of Emmaus; her 9 beloved grandchildren; her 10 cherished great-grandchildren; and her siblings: Judy Heydt, John Zednik, and Karen Fritchman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kathleen’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.