Karen Ann (Servant) Carlson

Born May 11, 1942 in Escanaba, Michigan, Karen graduated from Perkins High School in 1960. She married her high school sweetheart, John F. Carlson Sr., and they spent 62 wonderful years together.

Known by some as “Beautiful,” Karen was a very spirited woman, who raised four perfect children and had a hand in raising some of her grandchildren. As two-year-olds, most of the grandchildren attended her “Potty Training Boot Camp,” and all passed with flying colors. She had a real knack for teaching!

Karen very seldom missed her children’s or her grandchildren’s events, and was always a parent volunteer when needed for pasty-making fundraisers and the like. Another of her passions was spending time with friends — and they were plentiful (You know who you are!) — laughing, entertaining and simply reveling in their company, with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. Others included traveling to Arizona, to spend winters and be with friends, traveling on cruises with her sister Julie and other family and friends, enjoying “Dive Night” dinners with neighbors, being goofy with her sisters during hunting season, being the first to call and “sing” to all family members on their birthdays, singing in the church choir, camping with friends and family, reading, doing outstanding cross-stitching, sewing, painting ceramics and baking for the holidays. For many years, parts of her summers were spent on a tractor, baling hay, which she also enjoyed.

Karen is survived by her husband, John F. Carlson Sr.; children, Lisa (Dawn) and John Jr. (Cindy) Carlson, both of Perkins, and Kelli (Daryl) Smith of Chandler, Arizona; mother, Elaine (Hill Servant) Demeuse of Perkins; sister, Julie (Mitchell) Powers of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Gina Martens, grandson John Carlson III, father Thomas Servant, siblings Susan Depuydt and Thomas Servant Jr., and stepfather Wilbert Demeuse.

Mass of Christian Burial, to celebrate the life of Karen Carlson, will be held on Monday, February 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. Luncheon will follow Mass. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be offered at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com