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Karl Jaentsch Obituary
ITHACA - Karl H. Jaentsch, 86, of Ithaca, died Sunday, October 11, 2009, at Cayuga Medical Center.
Born in East Germany, a son of the late Karl and Martha Jaentsch, he came to the United States in 1956. In 1964 he established Volkswagen Repair and was well-known to Volkswagen owners in the area as the one to go to for Volkswagen service. Illness forced him to retire in March of this year. Every year, usually twice a year, Karl enjoyed traveling to Germany as well as other areas of Europe to visit family and friends.
Karl is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lillian Jaentsch of Ithaca; daughter, Karin Jaentsch and her husband, Steen Nielsen; son, Michael Jaentsch; and brother, Klaus (Ellen) Jaentsch, all of Germany; step-sons, Allan Livingstone (Lorraine Miles) of Lansing and James Livingstone (Tina Park) of Trumansburg; step-grandson, Josh Wilson; good friends in Germany, Manfred Flatter (Gertie) and Inge Schurer; good friends here, John Mead, Robin Bailey, Jon Weiss, and Bill Doolittle. In addition to his parents, Karl was predeceased by a brother, Ernst Jaentsch.
A memorial service will be held at the Wagner Funeral Home at a time and date yet to be decided and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karl Jaentsch
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Jeff Bauman
March 27, 2018
After over 25 years Karl popped into my mind and I was sad to learn he had passed. Karl went out of his way numerous times to help me out with my first car, a 1987 VW Golf. Thank you Karl. It's people like you that remind us that kind still exists and we should make an effort to do better by each other.
Michael Decatur
October 27, 2009
Having moved to Ithaca 7 years with my 78 VW van, I was very glad to find Karl. At first because of his skill as a mechanic. As I got to know Karl, though, my appreciation for his spirit grew beyond his handy work. Modest, honest, strong work ethic.. a true East German gem. I am a lucky man to have had an opportunity to know him.
October 20, 2009
our community has lost one giant of a man.
Chuck Baxter
Don McKechnie
October 19, 2009
To Karl's family, thoughts and prayers from my wife Jacqueline and I during this difficult time. We knew we found our auto mechanic over 20 years ago when we took our VW Rabbit to Karl for the first time. His knowledge and fairness in business must be a model for all who aspire to enter auto mechanics and any other business for that matter. We have all lost someone special but, we believe we will see you down the road somewhere again Karl!
October 19, 2009
I knew Karl at Ripley Mmotors when he lived in Richford . I bought a VW in 1954 and owned one until 1966 ( the last good one) . Karl was a great person and was the best mechanic I know.
I work with Karl for a few years building VW engins and repair. He was always on the customer side of things and could due the impossable when nessary. I have many memories and stories from Karl
Thank you Karl I will never forget !!
Dick Evans Ithaca ,NY
Lauren Trichon
October 18, 2009
Thanks for keeping me on the road in Janis all those years! The world of Volkswagen won't be the same without you!
Bill Dengler
October 18, 2009
I was deeply saddened to hear of Karl's passing. He was a VERY special person. I worked in his Hayts road shop on weekends in the early 70's (and at Ripley VW during the week). He taught me the right way to fix cars and treat people; lessons learned that I still follow today. Peace to you, and your family. I will catch up with you in the next journey.
October 17, 2009
Good Bye Karl, You were a sweet and caring man. You taught Tim how to ride a motorcycle, you sold Lason his first car, you were there for all of us. We will all miss you
Mary Livingstone( Campbell)
Peggy Moorhoff
October 16, 2009
The best mechanic ever! One Sat. evening, long ago, I left a message for Karl re: trouble with my Jetta. Sunday morning we awoke to hear someone in our driveway - lo and behold, there was Karl under the hood of the Jetta, quietly working on the problem without a word. Always skillful, always ethical, always reasonably priced. My family will always remember our time with Karl. Thanks for everything - you are one of a kind.
Hilda Kirschner
October 16, 2009
I am sorry to hear of Karl's passing. As a customer of Karl's for 12 years I was always taken care of well. He was one of the most honest people I had ever worked with and he prided himself on his honesty. He will surely be missed.
sincerely, Hilda Kirschner
Carl Feuer
October 16, 2009
Karl was a treasure and a huge friend and savior to so many - one of those rare people that becomes a local legend. So competent as a mechanic, so trustworthy, so willing to provide the best value for his customers, so friendly, so down-to-earth. Thank you, Karl!
October 15, 2009
Goodbye Karl, thanks for all your years of kind service. You deserve a good rest. You were always there when we needed you. I pray your family will find peace that you are where you need to be...Bless you all. the Chatham Family
Butch & Carla (Smith) Baldwin
October 15, 2009
Lillian, Karin, Michael and families,
What a wonderful man he was, I remember when he first came to the US, and he would come to our house to visit. I also remember playing with Karin and Michael when they lived in Richford. I remember taking my parent's VW's to be repaired and then my own, he was always "happy and helpful" no matter what problems your vehicle had and they were always taken care of.
May the thoughts and prayers of those who love you comfort you at this time.
October 15, 2009
the HEDGES family thanks Karl for many years of service on our ..at least 10 VW bugs....peace to you all...Bob, MarySue, and Anne
Carl Updike
October 15, 2009
I am very sadden to hear about Karl's passing! I have many fond memories when I needed repairs Karl was always very generous to find time to help me with my VWs and other foreign vehicles!
Peggi Loveless
October 15, 2009
It was my pleasure to work with Karl for several years. The standards he set have not been matched since those days. And I'm still searching for a mechanic as good and honest!
Shannon Phillips
October 15, 2009
My very 1st car was a 1980 VW Rabbit (ah, the days of 45 mpg ;-) ). And Karl was my very 1st car mechanic. You will never find a most honest mechanic than Karl. May he be looking over his family & friends in his trusted VW. You will be sorely missing and fondly remembered!!
Tom Clausen
October 15, 2009
I was saddened to hear about Karl passing yet impressed to know he had continued working until fairly recently. Many years ago I made many trips to his Hayts Rd. shop. With gentle kindness and uncommon patience he kept my VW Beetles going, often against long odds. He made many indelible positive impressions and was a genuine legend in his own time! Grateful thank you Karl!
james twomey
October 14, 2009
I haven't lived in Ithaca for 30 years but one of my fond memories was taking my VW (which always needed a muffler) to Karl. Such a nice man and great mechanic.
Rhonda and Ivan
October 14, 2009
It started out with VWs and became a great friendship. I have no idea how many times we’d come bumping up his driveway to be greeted by “what is it now?” But he always took care of us. I remember one time when his loaner car “Wonder” was out of commission and he lent us his personal car with the parting comment of “you crash it, you buy it.” I am really grateful that when I was briefly back last Fall I stopped by the house and was able to spend a couple hours visiting with him. Although he was slowing down he was still Karl. He would always save and give us the golf balls that ended up in his yard. Your “speed demon” friends will always remember and miss you very much.
Dave Davies
October 13, 2009
Karl's name is synonymous with skill, wisdom, trustworthiness and patience. I'm glad Karl got to work on this world because it sure needed it.
Bill Mutcvh
October 13, 2009
I haven't had a VW for many yearts but I'll miss him
Sandra Verity
October 13, 2009
Our thoughts are with you at this time.Karl was a very special person. He was an honest and knowledgeable mechanic. He always kept our VWs going.
John Rice
October 13, 2009
What a loss.
I worked part time for Karl back in the early 60's when he worked out of the Dick Lane Coachcraft shop behind the IGA in Trumansburg, and have kept in touch ever since. Most recently, he--having experienced Nazi Germany, told me that he feared for what he saw coming here.
What a fantastic person--what an excellent mind--what a mechanic and what a good person to have as a friend.
He will be greatly missed.
Kerry Mueller
October 13, 2009
When I lived in Ithaca in the late 60's everyone I knew had a "Jaentsch partner" with whom we would share rides to and from Jaentsch's for car servicing. I'm sorry about your loss, and glad to at least have heard about it. He was an important institution. blessings,
Kerry Mueller, (then Kerry Seligman) now of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Steven Hilsdorf
October 13, 2009
To Karl's family, I first met Karl when I owned my first VW, and I have found him to be the most trusted mechanic I have ever known. He will be dearly missed by all.
Denise Gelberg
October 13, 2009
Dear Lillian and family,
I met Karl in 1972 when I bought my first car, a 1970 red beetle. When it came time to replace that car - and all subsequent cars - I had to check first with Karl to make sure he would be willing to work on whatever I bought. Over the years we had many great conversations. I had the greatest respect for this smart, good man. He will be greatly missed not only by his loving family, but by legions of Ithacans who have the fondest memories of this exceptional human being.
David Nivison
October 13, 2009
To Karl's family,My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead. I considered Karl my personal mechanic from the early 70's until I sold my last beloved beetle in the early 90's. I have fond memories of our times in the shop, especially as he labeled me "too particular". Karl could find the problem(s) the dealerships could not. I always knew I was in good hands at Karl's. May he rest in peace. I will see you again in the next world old friend.
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