Katharina 'Oma' Kaminskas, age 96, passed away peacefully December 24, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Romualdas Kaminskas Sr; her daughter Heidemarie (Allan) Chagnon; her son Wolfram Kaminskas and her sister Josepha R. Schamper. Born in Munich, Germany she was a daughter of the late Joseph & Johanna W. (Kamleiter) Ruckert. Katharina was the mother of Barbara (Milton) Horobin, Romualdas (Lyn) Kaminskas, Jr., Bernard (Janet) Kaminskas, Byrute (Leon) Johnson and Genovaite (Andrew) Perrelli. Oma is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She arrived from Germany to the United States in 1952 via Ellis Island and settled in Hamden. Katharina devoted her time to being a crossing guard for the Hamden PD at many of the schools in town. She received a Certificate of Appreciation for her 37 years of faithful service. Katharina was an outstanding and talented homemaker who enjoyed needlework, baking, gardening, and caring for animals. She greatly enjoyed family get-togethers and weekend trips. Oma will be deeply missed by her family, as she was such an integral part of their lives. Friends may visit with her family at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden on Thursday, Dec. 28th from 8:30 AM to 10:15 AM prior to her Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM in St. Stanislaus Church, New Haven. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.