Karlie R. Tautenhan

Karlie Rose Tautenhan, beloved daughter of Rose Welsh and John Tautenhan III, passed away at her home on Saturday March 14, 2026.

Karlie was born on September 7, 2004 in Worcester, MA. She attended St. Mary's Catholic High School and graduated from Connections Academy, Class of 2022. She worked as a cashier and shift lead at Dairy Queen in Worcester and was currently attending Quinsigamond Community College.

Karlie was a sweet, kind, gentle soul. In high school, she volunteered at “Don't Stop the Music”, a dance for special needs adults. Karlie was a history buff and especially loved 18th century European history. She was a talented artist and animal lover. She was a doll collector, enjoyed sewing, and loved to shoot a compound bow.

Besides her parents, she leaves her stepfather, John LaFlash with whom she lived; her stepmother, Holly Frisbie of Holland, MA; her paternal grandmother, Catherine Hanson of Corvallis, MT; her step-grandparents, Francis and Jacqueline LaFlash of Paxton, MA. She also leaves her three siblings, Joshua Hanlon of Naples, FL, Arianna (Moore) Knightly and her husband, Bryan, of Maryville, TN, and Sadie Tautenhan of Holland, MA.

Karlie's aunts and uncles were instrumental in creating the beautiful person that she was. She leaves behind Joseph Welsh of Fullerton, CA; Charles and Diane Welsh of Worcester, MA; Deborah and Anthony Poti of Worcester, MA; and Daniel Tautenhan of Portland, OR.

Karlie was the youngest cousin in her family. Her older cousins absolutely adored her. She leaves behind Matthew Welsh and his wife Riven of Shirley, MA; Michelle (Welsh) Casey and her husband Patrick of Chelmsford, MA; Kristin Poti of Cambridge, MA; Jessica (Poti) Hardin and her husband Charles of Davenport, FL. She will also be greatly missed by her lifelong best friend, Madaline Docimo.

Karlie was predeceased by her maternal grandparents – her Sitto and Jiddo- Ruth and Charles Welsh of Worcester, MA; her paternal step-grandfather Gary Hanson of Corvallis MT, and her paternal grandfather John Tautenhan II of Stonington, RI.

Relatives and friends are invited to a period of calling hours on Monday, March 23rd from 9-11:30 am in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester followed by departure to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 256 Hamilton St., Worcester where her funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the following organizations which were close to Karlie's heart: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 256 Hamilton St., Worcester, MA. 01604, The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org , American Cancer Society at https://American Cancer Society/?campaign=incentivehubdefaultmedia , or Worcester Animal Rescue League https://worcesterarl.org/ .

May her memory be eternal.