BLANCHE KARSNER

FORT WORTH -- Blanche Attias Karsner's soul finally freed itself from the bonds of her failing body and years of terrible pain and suffering to find everlasting peace with her rock and redeemer on Friday, Jan. 4, 2012, during her 78th year. A spiritual woman of strong faith and family values, she was surrounded with French lullabies, prayerful songs and the love and of her husband, David, four children, and most of her adoring 12 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Service: 1 p.m. Sunday in the Barnett Sanctuary at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen St., where she had been an active and faithful member for 44 years. Rabbi Andrew Bloom and Cantor Shoshana Abrams will officiate. Following committal prayers, she will be laid to rest in Ahavath Sholom Cemetery. Shiva and minyan services will be held at the residence on Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, it would be please her to have donations sent, in her memory, to the following causes, whose mission she identified with: OrtAmerica.org for charitable education and training; fisherhouse.org in support of military families; heart.org for heart disease research and cures; and Ahavatsholom.org, for the Synagogue Education Fund for lifelong learning. Blanche Karsner was the family matriarch, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a renowned chef, caterer and entrepreneur. Her cuisine, fashion and hospitality are legendary. Earlier, she had been a surgical nurse and midwife. Blanche was known for her humor, creativity, intuitive wisdom and insight; her tough, worldly, uninhibited and resilient experience; and her extraordinary loving and compassionate heart. She was always involved in civic organizations and had leading roles B'nai Brith and ORT worldwide. She was an immigrant, patriot and an "Air Force mom" for a quarter century during the Cold War and was at the center of military base social life and providing support for other military families. She was personally active for many years, and opened her home to support the resettlement of Jewish refugees and refuseniks so they could escape Soviet oppression. Blanche was fluent in at least seven languages, conversant in many more, and could switch seamlessly amongst them and the cultures they represented. She was an occasional interpreter, especially for Red Cross emergencies, like Hurricane Katrina, and whenever helpful to give a voice to immigrants to this country. Born on Sept. 11, 1934, in colonial Casablanca, Morocco, Blanche endured the occupation of the Vichy French and Nazis and witnessed General Patton and the U.S. Army come ashore there when she was 7 years old. She met the love of her life, David Karsner, at the USO, when he was stationed there in 1954. Their romance and marriage spanned many countries at a time when was travel was hard, including Europe, Africa, both coasts of the USA, and many places in between. Survivors: In addition to her husband, David, Blanche is survived by her children and their spouses, Diana and Rick Levin of Fort Worth, Fred Karsner and his partner, Carolyn Foster, of Plano, Danielle and Rusty Young of Burleson and Andy and Maria Karsner of Bethesda, Md.; grandchildren, Jason, Leah and Andrew Levin, Jennifer, Michael and Sarah Karsner, Rachel and Russell Young, and Caroline, Jenny, Julia and Hanna Karsner; great-grandchildren, thus far, Payton and Kingston; brothers and their wives, Emile Attias and his wife, Annie, of Paris, France, and Charles Attias and his wife, Chantal, of Casa Blanca, Morocco; nieces and nephews and their families; as well as numerous cousins on four continents. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of BLANCHE KARSNER please visit our Sympathy Store.