Magdalena Oberle of Stuart, Fla., died suddenly on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, after a short illness. She was 83.
She was born to Joseph and Barbara Fleischhacker in Yugoslavia. During World War II she was placed with her mother and two sisters in concentration camps run by the Russian Army only to flee as a very young child, surviving and eventually being reunited with her family. Once reunited, they lived in Germany. Magdalena came to the United States, where she was very proud to become a U.S. citizen, settling in Ridgewood, Queens, N.Y. She then met Johann, who became her husband of 53 years in a German club. They then lived in Weehawkin, Sandyston, Lafayette, and Hardyston in New Jersey and resided the last three years of her life in Stuart, Florida.
Magdalena worked at Knitting Mills in Union City, N.J., making garments for many years. She and Johann then owned and operated the Forest Motel in Sandyston from 1979 to 1986. She also attended Wilfred Beauty Academy and became a licensed beautician.
Magdalena was an avid seamstress and a phenomenal baker who loved dancing, traveling, festivals, and was a member of the Franklin Seniors while living in Hardyston. Most of all, she loved being an Oma. Magdalena regularly said “Omas live to help raise their grandchildren.”
Magdalena is preceded in death by her husband, Johann; and infant son, Edmund.
She is survived by her children Joseph Fleischhacker and wife, Lois, of Virginia Beach, Va., Sigmund Oberle of Jupiter, Fla., and Captain Steve Oberle and wife, Debra, of Sparta, N.J.; loving Oma of Joseph and wife Karen, Lynn Ann, Stephen, Aidan, and Milena; and great oma of Joseph, Jason, Nicholas, and Adrianna.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at Saint Jude the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Hamburg, N.J., on Feb. 9. Interment followed at North Hardyston Cemetery, Hardyston. Memorial gifts to Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown medical Center would be appreciated.