Karen Eileen Mirate

Karen Eileen Mirate (71), daughter of the late Oscar and Elaine Olson of Ensign Township, Michigan, was born on December 17, 2017 in St. Francis Hospital, Escanaba, Michigan. Karen was a 1964 graduate of Rapid River High School. In 1965, Karen entered the newly founded Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, a member of the first class of students to enter the college. While at Bay, she helped design the logo for the new college. Karen graduated with an Associate of Applied Science, May, 1967, the first class to graduate from Bay de Noc Community College. Thereafter, she was employed at Bay as counseling secretary to the Dean. Over the Labor Day weekend, 1968, Karen met the love of her life, Jeffrey Mirate of Schenectady, New York, while he was vacationing and visiting friends in Escanaba. It was love at first sight for both of them, and due to the great distance that separated them, a whirlwind romance ensued culminating in their marriage on December 21, 1968 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River. Thereafter, the couple moved to Schenectady, where Karen was hired as a secretary at General Electric's Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. In September 1970, Karen and Jeff, relocated to the Houghton-Hancock area in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The years, 1971-82, were primarily stay-at-home years for Karen, as the couple began raising a family. Dana was the first child and was born on September 1, 1972. Sean was born on April 8, 1975. In November 1983, the family moved to Crystal Falls, Michigan, where they lived until April 1986. On August 10, 1984, Ryan was born. In April 1986, the Mirate's moved to Grayling, Michigan. Karen gave birth to her last child, Jillianne, on June 2, 1987. Finally, the family relocated to Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin in the late summer of 2000.
Throughout most of her life, Karen loved and was actively involved in music. She took private piano lessons, and later studied organ. She even taught herself how to play the accordion, specifically to play polkas and compete in the Miss Delta County Pageant. In high school, she was the accompanist for the choir and musical activities. She accompanied and sang with her sisters, Ruth and Gina, who sang for weddings and other events, such as the Jerry Lewis Telethons. In later years, she served as church organist and pianist for various churches wherever she and her family lived. She also gave private piano lessons to beginning and intermediate piano students, inspiring some exceptionally talented students to pursue professional careers in music. In addition to music, Karen also enjoyed sewing. While living in Hancock, Karen was active in 4H Homemakers and taught sewing to 4H youth. She also served on the Houghton County Fair Board. Karen thoroughly enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children. She also liked traveling, walking, attending concerts, dancing, swimming, boating, biking, cooking, crafts, home decorating, and entertaining. While in Grayling, Karen was employed by Mercy Hospital Associates Karen was hired as a Program Assistant in the Cardiology Department of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in September 2000. She retired from UW in November 2012. Karen and Jeffrey celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary with their children in East Lansing, Michigan on December 21, 2016.
Karen was known widely as a fun-loving, vibrant, well-dressed person. She was a ray of sunshine walking into a room and the spark plug of any social gathering. Unfortunately, Karen was struck with Alzheimer's disease in the prime of her life and formally diagnosed in 2012. As her AD progressed, Parkinson's disease symptoms also surfaced. On March 25, 2017 (unofficial), Karen succumbed to Alzheimer's disease painlessly and comfortably at her home while in the care of Agrace Hospice. She was surrounded by Jeffrey, Jillianne, Gina, Ruth, and nieces, Dr. Natalie Gray (Eric) of Traverse City, MI and Cathy Gabriel (Louis) of Rapid River MI, praying and singing her favorite hymns. She had been listening to her favorite music throughout her last days. Her son, Ryan of Madison, arrived shortly thereafter. Pastor Dennis Virta was invited to the home to read scripture and say a prayer for Karen and her family. Karen is survived by husband, Jeffrey, four children, Dana of East Lansing, MI, Sean (Dr. J. Carinne Mirate) of Haslett, MI, Ryan of Madison, WI, and Jillianne of Waukesha,WI, two sisters, Regina (James) Sterwald of Gwinn, MI and Ruth Mason of Mason, MI, four grandchildren, Sofia and Joseph Mirate of Williamston MI, Dominic, and Isla Mirate of Haslett, MI, 10 nieces, 7 nephews, and several great nephews, nieces, and cousins. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Elaine Olson, brothers Paul Olson (Betty) of Paw Paw, MI, David Olson (Judy) of Shioctan, WI, and sister, Esther Spring (Clayton) of Rapid River, MI, sisters-in-law Carol L. Brandt of Houston, TX and Julia N. Mirate of Puyallop, WA. Karen was cremated by Informed Choice of Madison, Wisconsin on March 31, 2017. Karen's ashes will be maintained in an urn at the family home. In lieu of a funeral, life celebration ceremonies will be scheduled for the late spring/summer in East Lansing and Rapid River Michigan. Correspondence and condolences should be directed to Jeffrey S. Mirate, Care of: Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives, 3325 E. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53704.

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF KAREN OLSON MIRATE
(12/17/1945 - 3/25/17)
ONLY FOR THE FRIENDS & FAMILY OF KAREN & JEFFREY
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2017
2:00 - 6:00 PM, EDT
EAGLES CLUB
608 LUDINGTON STREET (DOWNTOWN)
ESCANABA, MICHIGAN
FOOD & BEVERAGES TO BE SERVED
COME PREPARED TO SHARE FAVORITE MEMORIES OF KAREN WITH ALL IN ATTENDANCE, AS TIME FOR THIS IS BEING ALLOTED - SHE LIKED A GOOD PARTY & DANCING
MUSIC: JERRY BEAUCHAMP, ACCORDIONIST
RSVP BY JUNE 30, 2017 TO:
jstumi@yahoo.com OR 608-370-6161

ESCANABA - GLADSTONE AREA LODGING
(not in any ranked or preferred order)
QUALITY INN & SUITES - 906-789-1200
COMFORT INN SUITES - 906-786-9630
SUNSET LODGE - 906-786-2804
AMERICA'S BEST VALUE INN - 800-627-5752
HIAWATHA MOTEL - 800-249-2216
MAGNUSON GRAND PIONEER INN & SUITES - 877-786-0602
ECONO LODGE - 906-789-1066
LINCOLN HOST MOTOR INN - 866-814-9601
BAY VIEW MOTEL - 906-786-2843
SUPER 8 MOTEL - 906-786-1000
DELTA INN MOTEL - 906-786-5117
LAKESIDE MOTOR INN - 906-428-3170
SHOREWOOD MOTEL - 906-399-9550
TERRACE BAY INN & SUITES - 906 - 786-7554
* At last check, lodging costs range from about $60-$121 per night + tax.
PLACES TO EAT
Stone House Restaurant
Log Cabin
House of Ludington
Crispignia's