Liane H. Winternheimer Micales

April 30,1931 – July 6, 2024

The family of Liane H. Micales is saddened to share that at the age of 93, she passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, at Laurel Circle, Bridgewater, NJ after a long battle with Congestive Heart Failure.

Liane was born 4/30/1931 in Kaunas, Lithuania to Karl Winternheimer and Maria Zeligson Winternheimer.

Liane spent some of her young life in Kaunas and Berlin, Germany and then at a boarding school in Austria to be free from the ravages of WWII. After a few years in Austria, Liane returned to her beloved country to Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, where the Winternheimer family had settled for many generations. She was raised, along with her 5 cousins by their grandmother in a loving home.

At the end of WWII, at the young age of 19, Liane returned to Berlin and worked as a nanny. It is also where Liane would go on to meet the love of her life, Herb Micales. Herb was stationed in Berlin with the USAF and thru a blind date the two met, fell deeply in love and married in 1952. Shortly after their time in Germany and traveling throughout Europe, the couple moved to the US and began their family with the birth of their first son David, followed by their second son Bruce and lastly, the birth of their third child and only daughter, Cathy.

Liane had a zest for life and was always on the go. Ready to try new things and always the consummate student, Liane began to learn English thru a neighbor who was a retired 1st grade teacher. She got her first job as a cashier with her strongest skill being math and a good enough to get by command of the English language. Over the years, Liane continued to seek opportunity and learn new skills. Upon the family moving to NJ in 1965, Liane was employed at Ethicon in Bridgewater, where she started as a cobalt room technician. From there, Liane went on to pursue a college degree in Business Administration and served the remainder of her years at Ethicon as a Quality Control Technician and finally, as an Executive Assistant.

Liane was known for her incredible cooking and baking skills and at one time; she and Herb were part of a dinner club where each couple would take turns hosting a dinner and cooking the most fabulous meals. Holidays, especially Christmas, involved weeks of preparation and the Micales home turned into a wonderland of traditional German delights and stunning decorations.

Liane was, as well, an avid "maker" from sewing clothes for her children to enjoying knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch and quilting. Liane for a time, designed and made bears which she gifted to family and friends and proudly sold at the yearly 4H shows in Bridgewater. After retirement, Liane continued to pursue her love of quilting and transformed vacant bedrooms into her work studios filled with fabrics of many colors and patterns. In her own right, Liane was a true artist and labored with love over her creations for others to enjoy.

Liane is a spirit that will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Our gratitude lies however in the amazing life that she lived, the joy and love that she brought and legacy that we will cherish.

Liane is predeceased by her beloved husband Hurbble E Micales, her father Karl Winternheimer and mother Maria Zeligson, her cherished cousins Mia Zeligson, Gert Winternheimer and Otto Winternheimer. Her mother-in-law Ora Pearl Micales, her father-in-law Henry Monroe Micales, sisters in law Monnie Baker and Buna Sturgill.

Liane is survived by her beloved children David E Micales (Maureen A) of Middlesex, NJ, Bruce K Micales of Madison, WI and Catherine E Micales of McDonald, PA, her cherished granddaughter Kristin V Micales and Cousin Friedel Winternheimer (Rita) of Saarbrucken Germany and her beloved grand dog Belle and grand cat Gracie.

In addition, Liane leaves behind her sisters in law whom she adored, Ruby Goins, Beulah Shipley and Mildred Johnson, her brother-in-law Leonard Sturgill, 8 nieces and nephews who she thought the world of as well as dear friends the Kile family, and longtime neighbors Barbara and Bill Andrews and their children. The Micales family would like to thank the staff of Laurel Circle, Serenity Hospice and RWJ Somerset for the care and comfort that they afforded Liane and her family, as well as to Liane's doctors for their kindness and gentleness in helping Liane to navigate her final days.

We all recognize that death is an inevitable part of life and so, to every individual that knew Liane, we thank you for being part of her journey here on Earth. May we all take rest in knowing, that Liane is now at peace and amongst the angels and very likely teaching a quilting class.

A viewing will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 from 3-7pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ, 08876. A second viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 9am-10am with a service starting at 10am. Entombment to follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge.