Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Calls outside of office hours? No worries! Our team will respond within 10–15 minutes.
June 13, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4-8pm at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 11am at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers,memorial donations in Waltraut’s name may be made to villamarieclaire.org.
Waltraut Wittke Aragona, age 89 of Secaucus passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2026, after a courageous battle with illness. Throughout her health challenges, Waltraut demonstrated strength, resilience and determination facing each day with courage and grace.
Waltraut was born on June 5, 1937, the youngest of three children to parents Elizabeth and Erich Wittke in Bartenstein, Germany. In 1941, her father, Erich was forced to enlist in the German Army during World War II leaving his young family and ultimately losing his life.
In January of 1945, Waltraut and her remaining family members had to flee their home arriving in Nordhorn, Germany as refugees. Waltraut’s mother, Elizabeth, was selected as a housekeeper for a wealthy family allowing Waltraut and her sister Hannelore to live in a safe place and attend school.
In 1955, shortly after her siblings left Germany for North America, Waltraut and her mother Elizabeth made their way to the United States in search of a better life.
Settling in Ozone Park, Long Island, Waltraut found employment as a book binder in a factory, later moving on to hand painting porcelain figurines.
During the early 1960’s, Waltraut met Louis Aragona at The Roseland Ballroom. Waltraut and Louis were married on May 7, 1961. After settling in Secaucus, New Jersey they started their life together raising two children. Waltraut became a homemaker who thoroughly enjoyed cooking and caring for her family.
In 1987, Waltraut returned to the workforce as a cashier for Lackmann Foods. After learning of her passion for cooking, she was given the opportunity to take on the role of chef. Waltraut flourished in this role and found her calling. Affectionately known as “Chef Wally” she became famous for her homemade soups and gravies.
In subsequent years, Waltraut maintained her role as chef in locations including Liz Claiborne, Sony, and Dominican College where she retired after many years of a successful career.
Waltraut was a wonderful mother and grandmother making every occasion special in her own unique way. Her nicknames included Wally (Vally) Wittke, The Wittka and Grandma Candies. She was known and loved for her sharp wit, sense of humor, caring nature and most of all her devotion to her family. Creating family traditions was her favorite pass time especially during the holiday season. Her enthusiasm for decorating for Christmas and making famous dishes such as goulash, shrimp scampi, red cabbage and chocolate rice Krispy treats will always be remembered. Her love of German music, stylish dress with of course a matching “ketta” necklace was a constant fashion statement.
Waltraut was predeceased by her husband Louis Aragona in 2017 and leaves behind her beloved daughter, Laura Gomez and her husband, Tony, her loving son, Michael Aragona and his wife Donna and her cherished grandchildren Ryan, his wife Gina, Dianna and Christopher. She is survived by her sister Hannelore Krieg, many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4-8pm at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 11am at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers,memorial donations in Waltraut’s name may be made to villamarieclaire.org.
June 13, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4-8pm at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 11am at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers,memorial donations in Waltraut’s name may be made to villamarieclaire.org.
Waltraut Wittke Aragona, age 89 of Secaucus passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2026, after a courageous battle with illness. Throughout her health challenges, Waltraut demonstrated strength, resilience and determination facing each day with courage and grace.
Waltraut was born on June 5, 1937, the youngest of three children to parents Elizabeth and Erich Wittke in Bartenstein, Germany. In 1941, her father, Erich was forced to enlist in the German Army during World War II leaving his young family and ultimately losing his life.
In January of 1945, Waltraut and her remaining family members had to flee their home arriving in Nordhorn, Germany as refugees. Waltraut’s mother, Elizabeth, was selected as a housekeeper for a wealthy family allowing Waltraut and her sister Hannelore to live in a safe place and attend school.
In 1955, shortly after her siblings left Germany for North America, Waltraut and her mother Elizabeth made their way to the United States in search of a better life.
Settling in Ozone Park, Long Island, Waltraut found employment as a book binder in a factory, later moving on to hand painting porcelain figurines.
During the early 1960’s, Waltraut met Louis Aragona at The Roseland Ballroom. Waltraut and Louis were married on May 7, 1961. After settling in Secaucus, New Jersey they started their life together raising two children. Waltraut became a homemaker who thoroughly enjoyed cooking and caring for her family.
In 1987, Waltraut returned to the workforce as a cashier for Lackmann Foods. After learning of her passion for cooking, she was given the opportunity to take on the role of chef. Waltraut flourished in this role and found her calling. Affectionately known as “Chef Wally” she became famous for her homemade soups and gravies.
In subsequent years, Waltraut maintained her role as chef in locations including Liz Claiborne, Sony, and Dominican College where she retired after many years of a successful career.
Waltraut was a wonderful mother and grandmother making every occasion special in her own unique way. Her nicknames included Wally (Vally) Wittke, The Wittka and Grandma Candies. She was known and loved for her sharp wit, sense of humor, caring nature and most of all her devotion to her family. Creating family traditions was her favorite pass time especially during the holiday season. Her enthusiasm for decorating for Christmas and making famous dishes such as goulash, shrimp scampi, red cabbage and chocolate rice Krispy treats will always be remembered. Her love of German music, stylish dress with of course a matching “ketta” necklace was a constant fashion statement.
Waltraut was predeceased by her husband Louis Aragona in 2017 and leaves behind her beloved daughter, Laura Gomez and her husband, Tony, her loving son, Michael Aragona and his wife Donna and her cherished grandchildren Ryan, his wife Gina, Dianna and Christopher. She is survived by her sister Hannelore Krieg, many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Guestbook