Karen D.

Perry

REPUBLIC, MI – Karen D. Perry, age 76, of Republic, passed away on Sunday November 8, 2026, at UP Health Systems – Marquette while in the loving hands of her son Shane, granddaughter Danielle, and life partner Harold.

Karen was born at Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming on April 22, 1950, the youngest of six girls born to Leo J. Nurmi & Florence Mary (Anderson) Nurmi.

She grew up on a farm in Republic. Enjoying both summer & winter outdoor activities in the freedom of country life. Running in the fields, picking wildflowers, playing in the hay barn, climbing bluffs, wading in the creek and pond, playing hide and seek, blind man’s bluff, and swimming in the Michigamme river; along with skating, toboggining, building snow forts and snowmen, and any other outdoor fun the girls could think of.

Karen attended Republic Central School and Republic-Michigamme High School and was active in the St. Augustine Parish, Blue Birds, Campfire Girls, chorus, band, and cheerleading.

She left school to get married and raise a family. Later returning to finish high school through Ishpeming-Negaunee Community Education. She was involved in many of her children’s activities as a CCD teacher, assistant Girl Scout leader, Little League, and a fan at all their sporting endeavors.

Karen worked at various hometown businesses including Republic Builders Supply, Republic IGA, Shell gas station, and as a Senior Citizen homemaker.

She graduated from Northern Michigan University with an Associate of Science Degree majoring in Substance Abuse Counseling and was employed at Marquette General Hospital as a primary certified addiction counselor, retiring in 2005.

Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, playing cards and board games, going on sister vacations and having weekly lunches, and spending time with family and friends.

Karen is survived by her son, Shane Perry, and his family, Dana (Andrew) Whitford, and Danielle (Darren) Wing and their children Damien and Delilah; son-in-law, Joel Willis, and his family Brad (Cailin) Console and their son, Eoghan; Kathryn Willis and Jacob Willis; along with her significant other, Harold Richards and his family; her dear best friend, Scarlet; sisters, Hannah Wixtrom, Rita Kerkela, and Sandra (Joe) Couveau; brother-in-law, Keith Perry; and sister-in-law, Diane Perry; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Florence Nurmi; grandma, Irene Anderson; husband, James E. Perry; her daughter, Tracy L. Willis; and daughter-in-law, Karen L. Davis; sisters, Georgiana Hebert and Nancy Perry; nephew, Ronnie Paul; and special friend & confidant Karen R. Richards.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Republic on Saturday November 14, 2026, with Fr. Jernej Sustar celebrating. Karen’s family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am – 11:00am, with Mass beginning at 11:00am. A luncheon will immediately follow in the St. Augustine church hall.

Interment will take place at the Republic Cemetery.

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.