Karen Lewis

Karen was born on April 23, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Carmen (Schroeder) Everist. She was the third of three daughters born to the family. Following high school, she attended the Milwaukee Country School of Nursing, graduating in 1960. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

During nursing school, she befriended a classmate named Alice Lewis, who just knew that Karen should meet her brother Paul. Alice’s instincts were correct, and Karen and Paul were united in marriage in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on Aug. 29, 1964. They made their home in Houghton until they moved to their house in Oskar in 1967, which is where they welcomed their daughter, Anne, in 1972. Paul and Karen were happily married for nearly 61 years.

Karen’s work as a registered nurse over the years spanned pediatrics, metabolic research, family practice, and student health. Her last position before retirement was as the manager of the college heath service at Suomi College (later renamed Finlandia University), where she was a friend to all, popular amongst both students and staff. Following her retirement, she continued her service to the community in volunteer roles serving new mothers and babies, as well as staffing the information desk at Portage Hospital for a number of years. She was a member of the Portage Lake United Church and participated for several years in PEO International.

In her free time at home, she was a caring nurturer, an excellent cook and a gifted decorator. She loved to meet new people and learn all she could about their lives, interests, and loved ones. Among many other things, she notably enjoyed dogs, time with family, flowers, reading literary fiction, organizing closets and drawers, singing along with Paul’s nightly piano playing, dining out, and having a brandy Manhattan with family and friends at the cottage that Paul built on Portage Lake. Her infectious laugh and sense of fun were a delight to all, and those two qualities in particular were thankfully never diminished by her advancing battle with dementia.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Carmen and Raymond Everist; her sister, Mary Jane Mergy; and her brother-in-law, Donald Lewis.

Karen is survived by her devoted husband, Paul; her loving daughter, Anne (Eric) Wizauer; and the grandchildren who brought her so much joy, Benjamin and Elise Wizauer. She is also survived by her sister, Carol (Jim) Guagliardo of New York; sister-in-law, Alice (Ken) Hoeth of Virginia; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Lewis of Wisconsin; and numerous special nieces, nephews, and friends.

The time and date of a graveside service is yet to be determined and will be shared separately.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Karen’s name to one of the organizations that became meaningful to her over the past several years: Copper Shores Meals on Wheels (www.coppershores.org/meal-on-wheels) or BHK Community Action Agency (www.bhkcaa.org).