Stefanus Sutirto Karnadi

Stefanus Karnadi left this world peacefully in his sleep on February 10, 2026, in Carrollton, Texas.

Stefanus was born on March 30, 1927, in Kudus, Central Java, Indonesia. After growing up in Kudus, he left his hometown as a teenager because of the second World War, eventually making his way to Jakarta, where he would meet his wife of 67 years, Desi.

Though the war prevented him from attending high school, Stefanus taught himself many subjects, including Dutch, Chinese, and English. This love of learning persisted well into his later years, when he could often be found with a book teaching himself Spanish. So deeply did he believe in the power of education that he used his entire pension fund to send his daughters to study in the United States.

From an early age, Stefanus dreamed of moving to the United States himself. This dream became reality when he moved to Texas at age 78. At the age of 85, he became US citizen.

Stefanus was a hardworking, generous and kind hearted man who likes to treat people. He loved playing soccer, singing, listening to music, traveling, taking his family out to eat, and playing with his grandchildren. Other hobbies included chess, bridge, Sudoku, and solitaire, which he played on the computer up until the last week of his life.

Stefanus is survived by his loving wife, Desi Polim; his daughters: Justina (the late Gary) Chee, Julita (Aswan) Untung, Irma (Rico) Barata; nine grandchildren and their spouses; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Carrollton, Texas.

Viewing will begin at 10:30 am, followed by recitation of the rosary at 11:00 am, Mass and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gift to be donated to his favorite charity and church will be greatly appreciated.

Rest in peace, dear Lim, papi, opa, and kongcoh.

Your memory will live on in our hearts forever, until we meet again.