Karl Raffelsieper

Karl Heinz Raffelsieper, 77, of Lincolnton went to his eternal Heavenly home on May 24th, 2023, while at home surrounded by "his girls."

Karl Heinz was born April 27, 1946 in Wipperfurth, Germany to the late Klara and Wilhelm Raffelsieper. He moved to the US in 1967, where he met his dearly loved wife, Utta. Karl Heinz worked for American Barmag, where he spent many years traveling the world as a textile engineer. He loved going to Ocean Lakes Campground in Myrtle Beach, where he enjoyed spending time on the beach or sitting outside the camper. In his younger years, Karl Heinz loved golfing, doing yard work, shopping at the mall, and going to sporting events. As his health declined, his favorite thing to do was to mow the grass. Karl Heinz, “Opa,” was an amazing, one-of-a-kind husband and grandfather who will be so missed by his family and his four-legged companion, Marley, who was always by his side.

In addition to his parents, Karl Heinz was preceded in death by his daughter Daniela Fleenor; and precious granddaughter Emily Fleenor.

Those left to cherish Karl Heinz’s memory are his beloved wife of 41 years, Utta Raffelsieper. Utta became his caregiver and took excellent care of him until the very end. His two sons Norman Ford (Janice) and Johnny Ford; his most treasured granddaughter Samantha Auten; ten grandchildren Brian Auten, Gabrielle Fleenor, Izak Fleenor, Alex Fleenor, Matthew Fleenor, Nathan Ford, Abigail Kerr, Jennifer Ford, Mindy Ford and Jessica Kipp; three siblings Klare Blechmann, Klaus Lipka, and Ulla Heuser; a son-in-law and daughter-in-law Paul and Kerry Fleenor; an in-law Dee Smith; and two nieces Biggi Tilch and Iris Blechmann.

The family will receive friends from 4-5:30 PM as a Celebration of Life on Friday June 2, 2023 at Caring Cremations at 609 Highland Avenue SE, Hickory, NC 28602.

In leu of flowers memorials may be made to Carolina Caring Hospice .

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Raffelsieper family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.