Horst Kajah

Horst Kajah, 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 17, 2021 with his wife of 64 years by his side.

Horst was born in Seehausen, Germany, and experienced life as a refugee in Denmark with his widowed mother, twin sister, and two younger brothers before settling in Pinneberg, Germany, after the war. A few years later, he met Magda and after marrying, the two decided that moving to the United States would offer them what war- torn Germany could not. They were sponsored by Pastor Hüssmann and the congregation of Immanuel Baptist Church in Woodside, NY, a German community that became their family in this country. Horst, Magda, Angela, Christine and Stephan moved to Pompton Lakes in 1965, where Marion Court became their home for the next 56 years. There, Thomas was born and Horst was able to practice some of his most treasured hobbies: keeping chickens, growing his garden, and buying live Christmas trees each year to plant in the backyard. When he wasn’t outside, he could be found building, fixing, or tinkering with any number of items - from grandchildren’s karaoke machines to a friend’s carburetor - at his work bench. Horst’s work ethic was one of the most marked parts of his personality, and it aged well with him. He loved to work and did so retiring from his career as a machinist at the age of 82, while working at Dikeman Laminating, Clifton, NJ, at the time. At one point the only Billhöfer machinist in the United States, Horst was flown all over the country to repair the machines he first learned as an apprentice in Pinneberg, Germany.

Horst will be remembered for his jokes, long stories, and playful demeanor, always ready for a conversation with a stranger, neighbor, or friend. He and Magda participated actively in their church community at Jacksonville Chapel in Lincoln Park, NJ, where Horst proudly served as an usher for many years, as well as serving with Magda in the church’s Disabilities Ministry. Anyone who knew him, even as an acquaintance, knew the great pride Horst had in his German heritage, which he very intentionally instilled in his family. Horst, Magda, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have spent years maintaining German holiday traditions, participating in German heritage festivals, and attending the Steuben Parade in New York quite religiously. Horst’s passionate character will live on in his family, as most of them have been blessed with his quick temper and fire, making them fiercely loyal and defensive of those they love, just as he was.

Horst was predeceased by his children, Angela Winters, 2018, and Stephan Kajah, 2006. He is left by his wife, Magda, of Pompton Lakes, his son-in-law, Brian Winters, of Bloomingdale, daughter, Christine Pallo, and her husband, Steve, of Pompton Lakes, son, Thomas Kajah, and his wife, Marcy, of Londonderry, VT, and his grandchildren, Rebecca Peller and her husband, Jason, of Pompton Plains, Courtney Laurente and her husband, Michael, of Wayne, Sarah Hout and her husband, Jonathan, of Forest, VA, Kerstin and Heidi Pallo of Beverly, MA, Devan and Lily Kajah of Londonderry, VT, and eight great-grandchildren, Liam, Noah, Luke, and James Peller, Caleb, Hannah, and Daniel Hout, and Charlotte Laurente.