Karen Mary Miller's Obituary
Karen passed away Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 at 82 years old. She was born on September 30th, 1941 in Saginaw County to the late Ruth and Merlin Pringle. She was the youngest of four girls: Beverly, Janet, Patricia, and Karen. She lived with Gladys and Roy Miller where she had two siblings: Kathryn Pickard and Norma Kocsis.
Most of her young life she was raised by Bessie and Bill Miller, who opened their hearts and homes to her. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1959 with her friends, Mary Fleming and Judy Curtis. After graduation, she moved to Saginaw to attend cosmetology school where she met her lifelong friend, Mary Louise Gerding. On February 11th, 1961 she married Larry Miller. They spent 62 wonderful years together.
She is survived by her three children Ann (Dave) Maryanski, Jeffrey (Sandy) Miller and Susan (Marshall) DeSmet. She was also blessed with six grandchildren: Andrea (Roberto) Tripicchio, Matthew (Sarah) Goebel, Janelle (Branden) Lie, Meghan Miller, Kelsey (Justin) Rupnow, and Nolan (Taylor) Maryanski. Karen loved her special great-grandchildren Ignazio & Domenico Tripicchio, Brookson Shirley, Celeste & Alayna Lie, and Waylon Rupnow.
Karen and Larry moved to Harsens Island in September 1984, where she attended St. Mark’s Church, enjoyed the annual Ferry Boat Party, the Last Supper dinners, Garden Club, Women’s Guild and playing Mahjong with friends. Karen enjoyed time in Florida, living on the Island, and boating trips with Richard and Pam Miller. She was also surrounded by many loving brothers- and sisters-in law, nieces and nephews, and cousins. Karen owned the Beauty Nook in Saint Clair Shores for many years. Karen will be remembered for her wonderful meals, her artistic ability, her hospitality, her outgoing personality and especially for her love of anything sparkly - the more bling the better!
Visitation for Karen will be held at Young-Gilbert Funeral Home at 1422 Michigan St. in Algonac on Tuesday, November 7th from 2-8pm. Our Lady on the River (St. Mark’s Catholic Church) at 4200 Green Dr. on Harsens Island will conduct a mass to honor Karen’s life on Wednesday, November 8th at 11am with her in-state beginning at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, donations will support the Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD) Fund at the University of Michigan. Checks may be made to “University of Michigan” and sent to the Michigan Medicine Office of Development, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the website victors.us/karenmiller to make your gift.
To leave a message of comfort visit www.younggilbertfuneralhome.com
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