In Memoriam: Katharina Palnik

1935 – 2026

Katharina Palnik (Hotz), 90, passed away on Saturday June 27, 2026, at the Wesley Enhanced Living facility in Hatboro. She was the beloved wife of the late Karl Palnik for 41 years.

Born in the Hadad/Kriegsdorf region in Romania in 1935, Katharina (was the daughter of the late Andreas and Katharina (Pretli) Hotz. Katharina’s family relocated to Austria in1944, where she later met her future husband, Karl. They married in 1954, and in 1956 they brought their young family to America.

She is survived by her daughter Linde (William) Roth, and son Robert (Betsy) Palnik, 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two brothers, Frank Hotz and his wife Maria of Hatboro, and Erich Hotz of Traun, Austria.

Katharina was employed as store manager at the John Wanamaker and Strawbridge’s department stores for many years. She was an active member of the United German Hungarian Club with her husband and friends. She loved to travel and garden as well as entertain at home for family and friends. She could always be found in her kitchen cooking up a storm and was well known for her superlative baking.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son Carl Palnik and daughter Christine Torban, and her sister, Maria Lehner in Austria.

The family will hold a celebration of Katharina’s life to be announced.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This above obituary was provided to our club by her family. Below we have compiled some additional information and memories from various members about Katharina’s life and club-life.

Marlene Fricker tells of the Hotz family leaving home:

“Katie left Hadad riding on the seat of the wagon with her grandmother who held the reins and drove the wagon. Her father ran the Jugend social activities in the Austrian Lager (camp) where they wound up. Katie worked the ticket/entry desk with her father, She enjoyed getting to know all the boys as they checked into the dances on Saturday evenings.”

In the United States, after her children reached school age, Karl suggested she get a job for extra cash for the family. She got a position at John Wanamaker and in time she became the manager of the whole store. “Karl just shook his head, that wasn’t what he meant!” remembers Fricker.

She was known as Mrs. Palnik to some of us. With so many other Katie’s, Kathi’s, Kathy’s, Katharina’s at the club many others called her “Katie Palnik” like it was all one word. She was an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary for many years working on penny parties, luncheons and more. Her great attention to detail was leveraged often in decorating and planning for many events. She was instrumental force in the planning of “A Night in Vienna” for several years as well as the “Viennese Ball” which she worked on alongside the late Andy Weyershaeuser. Mrs. Palnik also served as a member of the Wednesday Night Dinner Committee. Katie also was part of the committee that created the white chair covers used at special gala events held at our club. She received the Ehrenwürdig in 2010 at our 100th Anniversary Banquet.

Over the years Katie was a supporter of our dance groups. She brought her grandsons Damian and Matt Roth to the the cultural group as children. The boys continued to travel along with our club as young adults. Katie and her husband Karl before his death attended Gaufests along with the dancers and Katie continued to come along until recently. She participated in our grand Ehrentanz at the Saturday Night banquet when we hosted the 2003 Gaufest. Her partner was Werner Fricker III:

“I remember practicing with her. That was a nice dance we did with so many of our folks of all ages together. And she was in charge of all the BS room food stuffs at that Gaufest. She gave us a shopping list to go to Reading Terminal and get rye bread and more lunch meat when we ran out!”

Her club life was a family affair with husband Karl having served on our Board of Governors including as the Chairman for a period. Katie’s brother Frank (who bears a resemblance to her) was also active as a soccer player and coach in his younger days, as a member of our Board of Governors, and on various committees.

“I remember as a young kid saying to my dad that Mrs. Palnik and Mr. Hotz looked a lot a like. He just laughed really hard. Once I knew the family connection I would approach either of them to say, ‘anyone ever tell you you look like…’ Mrs. Palnik smiled like I was a little crazy and said ‘well he is my brother!’ then we would laugh together.” – Michael Fricker

Mrs. Palnik was an active present member of our club over her adult life. She contributed in many ways, took part in our activities and events. She will be definitely missed among our members. In 2023 she attended our Annual General Meeting as was quoted as saying: