Robert Testa and Karen Testa
Dec. 26, 1947-April 13, 2017
Karen Testa
Nov. 10, 1945-April 13, 2017
Robert Testa, 69, and
Karen Marie (Aus) Testa,
71, both passed away
unexpectedly on April 13,
2017 from injuries sus-
tained in a motor vehicle
accident northwest of
Phoenix, Arizona.
Robert was born De-
cember 26, 1947 in Nor-
walk, Connecticut to
Joseph and Sylvia Testa.
Shortly after graduating
from J. M. Wright Techni-
cal High School in Stam-
ford, CT, he joined the
U.S. Air Force and was
stationed at Minot AFB in
North Dakota, and Phan
Rang AB in Vietnam.
Karen was born on No-
vember 10, 1945 in Minot,
ND to Perry and Thyra
Aus. After graduating
from Minot High School
she attended Minot State
College. While Robert was
stationed at Minot AFB,
he met Karen and they
were married on Sep-
tember 10, 1968, starting a
journey together that last-
ed almost 49 years. After
settling in Norwalk, CT,
Robert became a general
contractor, responsible for
many projects in Connec-
ticut, New York and New
Jersey, while Karen was
active in the community
and tended the needs of
their home and children.
Robert and Karen filled
their lives with a love for
travel, and pictures from
across the globe attest to
their adventurous spirits,
making lifelong friends
wherever they went.
Laughter was something
they shared with every-
one, and spending time
with Robert and Karen
was always a joy. They
were wonderful hosts;
Karen loved to entertain
family and friends while
Robert was the entertain-
ment. Both longtime
members of the Good
Shepherd Lutheran
Church in Norwalk, CT,
Robert and Karen also
supported a variety of
charities and causes that
included St. Jude
Children’s Research Hos-
pital, for which a memori-al fund has been esta-
blished in their honor.
They are survived by:
Robert’s son, Gary
(Valerie) Testa and their
children, Alex, Juliana
and Isabella Testa, and
their sons, Robert Joseph
Testa and Jeffrey (Jessica)
Testa and their children,
Abigail, Nathaniel and
Caleigh Testa; Robert’s
sisters, Janet Dobson, Jo
Ann (Gene) Dzilinski and
Ann Marie Ciaccio;
Karen’s sister, Dolores
(William) Kienel and
brother, Phil Aus, along
with several of Robert’s
aunts and uncles and
many cousins, nieces,
nephews, great-nieces and
great-nephews.
They were a remarkable
couple, it is hard to ima-
gine one without the oth-
er, and it seems God un-
derstood that as well,
though the world is now
darker without two of its
brightest lights. They have
left us all with many great
memories and wonderful
stories, and they will al-
ways have a place in our
hearts.
Funeral services will
take place at 11:00 a.m. in
the Norwich Lutheran
Church in Norwich, ND
on Saturday, April 29,
2017.
Interment: Norwich
Lutheran Cemetery, rural
Norwich, with a luncheon
at the church following
our graveside service.
Visitation for family
and friends will be held
on Friday, April 28, 2017,
from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00
p.m. at the Thomas Fami-
ly Funeral Home, Minot.
Those wishing to sign
the online memorial regis-
ter or share memories are
invited to use the expres-
sions of sympathy section
at www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.