Timeline for Erika (Erndt) Desautels
Born: November 26, 1939
Died: December 19, 2025
Sadly, Erika (Erndt) Desautels, 86, passed away suddenly on December 19, 2025, in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Born on November 26, 1939, in Karbitz, Czechoslovakia she immigrated to the United States as a young girl in the aftermath of WWII. Erika graduated from the High School of Commerce and went on to work many jobs before retiring from MassMutual.
Throughout her life, Erika found joy in the little things like going to tag sales, camping and doting on her cats. She was known for her green thumb and could often be found tending to her garden filled with vibrant flowers. Her love of flowers and gardening was only exceeded by the cherished times she spent with family. They traveled together often and some favorites were time at the beach and among the mountains of Vermont.
Erika’s life was enriched by those she held dear. She is survived by her devoted family, her husband Paul, her children Kathy Rado Stelmack, Edward Rado, Kimberly Desautels and partner Gordon Carr and Michele Desautels. She will be forever missed by her adoring grandchildren Paige and Cameron Murphy and Zachary Stelmack. She also leaves behind many other cherished family members and friends who will miss her deeply.
She was predeceased by her mother Bertha (Tomola) Edelmann; brother Joseph Erndt; first husband Edward J. Rado; and son-in-law Karl Stelmack.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life in her honor held on February 8, 2026, at 12 PM at the Villa Rose Restaurant 1428 Center St, Ludlow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Furever Homes for Felines https://fureverhomesforfelines.org/donate or Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104 or https://www.shrinerschildrens.org.
Erica was always a bright and happy person. She knew how to make a person feel comfortable to be around her. She will be missed by Ken and I both. May her light continue to shine on. Our heart goes out to her family and friends that will miss her and loved her.
Erika was a part of our retirees from MassMutual group. We did lunch together for 20 years at John’s Pizzeria in Chicopee. We will dearly miss her stories and complaints Of which we all shared. We laughed a lot and helped each other also. It’s a terrible loss!!
Though you are gone, Your light still shines In our hearts Jim & Crissie
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life in her honor held on February 8, 2026, at 12 PM at the Villa Rose Restaurant 1428 Center St, Ludlow.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Furever Homes for Felines https://fureverhomesforfelines.org/donate or Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104 or https://www.shrinerschildrens.org.
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.
Erica was always a bright and happy person. She knew how to make a person feel comfortable to be around her. She will be missed by Ken and I both. May her light continue to shine on. Our heart goes out to her family and friends that will miss her and loved her.
Erika was a part of our retirees from MassMutual group. We did lunch together for 20 years at John’s Pizzeria in Chicopee. We will dearly miss her stories and complaints Of which we all shared. We laughed a lot and helped each other also. It’s a terrible loss!!
Though you are gone, Your light still shines In our hearts Jim & Crissie
Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.