Karen Lynn Lake

Karen Lynn Lake, age 75, of Negaunee, died on Friday, November 22, 2024 at UPHS Marquette following a brief illness. She was born in Marquette, Michigan on March 30, 1949 to the late Eino and Viola (Pulkkinen) Parkkila. Karen grew up on the family farm in Sundell and graduated from Eben High School in 1967. While working, she met a UPS drive who would flirt with her….and she thought he was a jerk. His persistence paid off and she and David Warren Lake were married on August 30, 1969. Together they raised their son, Jeff. Karen was a homemaker for many years, but worked a short time in the unemployment office, and later in life, she worked as an antique dealer for over twenty years. She enjoyed the thrill of the hunt while searching yard sales and thrift stores and was always excited to find great deals and treasures. Karen loved spending time with David at camp on AuTrain Lake and their many travels together, especially their trips to New England, Walden Pond, Israel, and Finland. They wintered in Hernando, Florida for many years. They were married thirty-eight years when David preceded her in death on August 26, 2007. Karen was an avid reader who loved mysteries, political, and romance novels. She also enjoyed watching thriller movies, Judge Judy during the day, and countless YouTube videos. 

 Karen is survived by her son – Jeff Lake of Madison, Wisconsin; sister – Donna (Richard) Silta of Sundell; niece – Erin Lake; nephews – Darryl (Samantha Stebelton) Silta, Gordon (Veronica) Lake, and Joel (Kerry) Lake; many great nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law – Ken (Joy) Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eino and Viola, and husband David Lake.

 Services will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Karen’s funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.