Karen was born in Highland Park, Michigan, on September 10, 1947. Her parents were Dr. Lennart W. Wiren and June Kathleen Nelson Wiren. When she was three years old, her father passed away. Karen was raised, along with her sister, Kristen by a strong, independent woman who passed those attributes on to Karen. Much of Karen’s younger life was spent in Ludington, Michigan, her mother’s home town. Every holiday would find Karen, her mother and sister on the road from Dearborn to Ludington. Summers were spent with her aunts, uncles, and cousins while her mother worked as a nurse in the Wayne County Psychiatric Hospital.
Karen graduated from Dearborn High School in 1965. Inspired by a teacher in junior high, Karen decided early in her life that she intended to be a home economics teacher. She loved the creative aspect of cooking, sewing, and design. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1969 and accepted her first teaching position with the Olivet, Michigan school system. In the mid 1970’s she moved to Traverse City and accepted a teaching position with the Elk Rapids school system. This was followed by several years teaching in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1988, Karen moved back to Michigan and accepted a teaching position in the Harbor Springs school system. Karen married her husband, John, whom she had met during her teaching days in Elk Rapids, on May 20, 1989. She retired from teaching in January of 1996.
After she retired, Karen decided she was not fond of the cold of northern Michigan and ventured out for warmer states. Upon John’s retirement, they settled on Orange Beach, Alabama, for their winter home where they found a wonderful community of friends. Karen had a love of travel and was not hesitant to “hit the road” on her own, with her husband, John, or a group of her friends. She also enjoyed line dancing, bicycling, entertaining, cooking, and good(not necessarily expensive) wine. In retirement, Karen started LinneaK Clothesline, her custom made clothing business, selling at arts and crafts shows in Michigan and Alabama. One of Karen’s great joys was designing the home she shared with John, built in Elk Rapids in 2013.
Besides her husband, Karen is survived by her sister, Kristin Ratynski of Highland Park, cousins, Tom Nelson of Ludington, Jeananne McLeod of Charleston, S.C., brothers-in-law, Ron(Kay)Boals and Tim(Dana)Boals, sisters-in-law, Marilyn(Hal)Smith, and Kathleen(Dale)Deveneau. She is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Lennart in 1951 and her mother, June in 1995.
A celebration of Karen’s life is planned for September at the Boals home in Elk Rapids. Donations in Karen’s memory may be made to: Elk Rapids Community Cupboard, 6515 Timberlake Drive, Elk Rapids, MI 49629 or Single MOMM, 3210 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.
Arrangements were entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Elk Rapids.
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