Andela T. Kelemanik's Obituary
Andela passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 2, 2025 at her assisted living facility in Federal Way, WA. She was 101 years old.
She is survived by her two daughters and their life partners: Rita M. Paz with husband, Robert R. Paz, of Federal Way, WA and Laura A. Bartholdt with partner, Gary J. DeFrain of Fort Worth, TX.
Andela was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, George Kelemanik (1995) and her only grandchild, Christina T. Paz (2021).
Andela’s late teenage and early adulthood years (15 – 22 years of age) were shattered by the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, her homeland. During the Nazi occupation, she was incarcerated at a labor camp with fellow countrymen to produce munitions to further the war efforts of the Nazis.
In a twist of fate, straight out of a Hollywood movie, she met her future husband, U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division soldier George Kelemanik, in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, immediately after U.S. forces liberated this portion of Czechoslovakia from the Nazis, at a parade the Czech people held to honor their American liberators.
Andela enjoyed inspiring her small, close-knit family to be the best they could be. She was an ardent student of history and art. To expand her knowledge on these topics, she was an enthusiastic reader and traveler.
Her location (resident of Germany for nearly 30 years) and her ability to speak five languages, afforded her ample opportunities to visit nearby European countries to see the things she read about (and to shop). She took advantage of these opportunities.
Other favorite activities of Andela’s were sewing and needlework, areas where her artistic side could take flight. With a perfectionist’s eye, her creations were remarkable.
Andela was an extraordinary woman. She is and will be sorely missed.
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