Joan Kuharetz

Joan Kuharetz (nee Fredriksen), age 86 of New Milford, NJ, peacefully entered the gates of heaven on Friday, November 21, 2025 surrounded by her family.

Joan was born on September 16, 1939, in Brooklyn NY, to the late Birger Fredriksen and Signe Marie Fredriksen (nee Knudsen). She graduated from Bay Ridge High School at the top of her class. As the middle child of five, she was especially close to her mother growing up, holding fond memories of her childhood in Brooklyn.

She went on to work at Western Electric in Manhattan NY, where she met the love of her life, John Kuharetz, whom she married in 1963. Starting out in Fort Lee, NJ, they eventually settled in New Milford NJ, where together they raised their daughter, Linda. They quickly became members of the First Congregational Church of River Edge NJ, where they have been parishioners for over fifty years. There, Joan devoted much of her time early on to the Women’s Fellowship Circles and Bible Studies. She often reminisced about Pastor Sumner Gill, whom she admired very much, as his sermons inspired her on many Sundays.

Joan was full of life, knowledge and grace. Her love for old classic movies, books, trivia and her gorgeous rock garden consumed her days. She was an avid reader and loved having conversations on a variety of topics from current events to the royal family, literature and movies. She had a great wit and enjoyed sharing stories with her friends and family. She found peace and solace in her daily gardening, working tirelessly on her beautiful rock garden with pride. With her devoted husband John always by her side, she enjoyed family summers in Wildwood, trips to Puerto Rico and cruising the world together. Joan was a dedicated and loving mother to Linda, and found the greatest joy in being a grandmother to Laura and Johnny. She had a zest and appreciation for life and enjoyed it right through her final days on earth.  But most of all, she had a fervent love for her family. She went to heaven surrounded by all the love and adoration of her loved ones by her side.

Joan is survived by her devoted husband, John, her loving daughter, Linda Jean Stark (nee Kuharetz) and Dan McLoughlin, her two grandchildren whom she adored, Laura Jean and John Peter Stark, her brother and sister-in-law, John and Virginia (Ginny) Fredriksen, her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Angela Fredriksen, as well as her many loving nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Birger and Betty Fredriksen, her sister Lillian Fredriksen, brother-in-law Boris Kuharetz, son-in-law Daniel Patrick Stark and nephews Gregory and Michael Fredriksen.

A memorial to celebrate her life will be held at the First Congregational Church of River Edge, NJ on Sunday December 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m with a repast gathering to immediately follow.  In lieu of flowers, her family asks to please consider a donation to a special memorial fund in Joan’s name at First Congregational Church, 109 Continental Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661.

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