Karen S. Schlicher
ESCANABA — Karen S. Schlicher, who saw God’s faithfulness working throughout her life, died on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at her home. She was born on September 29, 1953 to Royce E. and Mary C. (Dieckman) Schlicher in Okinawa while her father served in the military. Karen’s childhood was mostly spent on a farm in northern Lower Michigan near Atlanta, Mich. She graduated from Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools in 1971. She turned north to pursue higher education in the Upper Peninsula, and never left. Karen attended Lake Superior State University, graduated with a BA in sociology. In 1975, she then moved on to northern Michigan University to follow her dream to be a speech-language pathologist, graduated with a MA in communication disorders in 1979.
Karen was employed as a speech therapist in the Munising Public Schools from 1979-1993. During that time, she was a member of Sacred Heart Church, volunteered with the local hospice, and met many lifelong friends, including Colleen Roberts, the Mitchell family and members of the Peppers Softball Team. Many of her summers were spent working at Bay Cliff Health Camp, where she was first drawn while attending NMU. Karen found her calling at this summer therapy camp for children with special physical and language needs. After 15 years in a variety of summer camp roles, Karen joined the fulltime staff as assistant director. Her role brought her into close relationships with hundreds of children and staff members whom she considered as her Bay Cliff family. She worked for 25 years under the mentorship of the Executive Director Tim Bennett, retiring in 2018.
Upon retirement, Karen moved to Escanaba and lived with her long-time Cursillo friend, Janet Lindstrom, who provided her shelter against the storm of cancer. Karen became a member of St. Anne’s Parish and found a welcoming, supportive Christian Community. Her Cursillo prayer group of friends helped her to find the many blessings that are part of the cancer journey.
She is survived by two brothers, Stephen (Sue) Schlicher and Michael Schlicher; three sisters, Sharon Nichol, Elizabeth (Glen) Woodbury, and Catherine (Bert) Horiuchi; sister-in-law, Lori Schlicher; 11 beloved nieces and nephews and their families; and several cousins. Even though long distances separated each other, family and time together was important to Karen.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Walter; niece, Tiana Norenberg; and brother–in-law, Carson Nichol.
The visitation will be on Thursday, November 17 at St. Anne’s Church beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at noon with Rev. Fran DeGroot officiating. A meal will immediately follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Bay Cliff Health Camp, P.O. Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808.
A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.