Karen A. Oleksik, 73, of Utica passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 26, 2015. Karen was born in Utica on November 8, 1941, a daughter of the late Reginald and Agnes (Gaffney) Williams. Karen married William J. Oleksik on June 20, 1964 at Our Lady of The Rosary Church, a blessed union of 40 years until his death on November 14, 2004. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of The Rosary Church, New Hartford, and a member of the North Utica Senior Center. In her spare time Karen enjoyed bowling, but most of all she was a devout cat lover. Karen is survived by her five children and their spouses, Sharon and David Dowd, Syracuse, Heidi and Kevin Collard, Crystal Beach, Canada, Valerie Oleksik, Lockport, NY, Gregory and Serena Oleksik, Hamden, CT and Stephen and Sarah Oleksik, Utica, 12 grandchildren, Kari, Alexander, Brittney, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, Stefany, Leah, Timothy, Emily, Raina and Miley, a great grandson, Oliver, two sisters and spouses, Jeri and Jack Horvath, MD and Margaret and Wayne Cotner, LA, a brother, Bruce Williams, Endicott, NY and close friends, Bert and Kathy Moon, Utica. Karen was predeceased by two brothers, Ronald and Roger Williams. Mrs. Oleksik's funeral will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 8:45 from the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica and at 9:30 from Our Lady of The Rosary Church, New Hartford. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery, Clayville, NY. Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday from 4-7. Those so wishing may make donations to the Parkinson Foundation in Karen's memory.