Obituary: Karen A. Renier

As received from Antila Funeral Service:

SOUTH RANGE

Karen Shebuski Renier, 78 years old, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at UP Health System-Marquette. She fought a courageous battle with cancer for almost five years.

Karen was born Oct 12, 1941, in Antigo, Wisconsin, a daughter of the late Stanley and Clara (Draeger) Shebuski. She grew up in Donken, Michigan, and graduated from Jeffers High School in 1960. Karen then attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University for a few years in the field of business. She then worked for Michigan Tech University in the Education Department and at the Houghton County Courthouse as a clerk until she had her first child. In later years, she worked for Dr. Mark Shebuski Medical Arts and Dr. Kevin Hilton Dental office as a secretary. Also, she worked for CCMH as a direct care staff worker, worked as a home health aide for Grandma Shebuski and Agnes Beaucage and did childcare for Drs. Roy and Doman families for five wonderful children. She was also an Avon sales lady for 23 years.

Karen was a volunteer with the South Range 4th of July Committee, and was active with Holy Family Parish and St. Anne’s Church as a religious educator. She practiced her religious faith by saying daily prayers, going to church and watching the EWTN TV channel. Karen always wanted to do things for other people and set good examples for her children. She was a good listener for her son, daughter, relatives and friends. She had a special gift which allowed her to socially connect well with adults and children. She always increased business sales for the South Range 4th of July committee and her business employers. Also, Karen was a very reliable and dedicated worker for many years. In her later career years, she was so happy to work in childcare and take care of children who called her “carebear.” A new joy in her life was a great grandchild, Aurora. In her spare time, she enjoyed going to the casino, decorating the house on holidays, taking care of flowers and listening to music. Karen never complained about her medical illness. We want to say thank you to the essential workers at UP Health System-Portage, Aspirus Keweenaw-Houghton, UP Health System-Marquette, Mayo Clinic, Canal View Houghton County and Superior Family Chiropractic which helped her during the illness. She gave charitable contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Heart Association and Boys Town.

Karen is survived by her son, Mike of South Range; daughter, Lynn and husband, Dan; her granddaughter, Rachael; and great grandchild, Aurora all of Port Huron, Mich; her beloved friend, Duane Pangrazzi of South Range; sisters, Audrey of Greenfield, Wisconsin and Nora of Hammond, Indiana; brothers, Jack of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Dan of Prior Lake, Minnesota; her brother-in-law, Jack; and sisters-in-law, Jean, Marlene, Gene and Lenore; many good, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends which were a big part of her life. Besides her parents, Karen was also preceded in death by her sisters, May and Helen; and brothers, William, Robert, Charles and Donald. Karen will be missed by many people.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at 10 a.m. EST in Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range, with Fr. John Martignon as celebrant. Burial with graveside services will be Friday, July 31st at 1p.m. CST in Queen of Peace Cemetery in Antigo, Wisconsin, with Fr. Matt Simonar to officiate. Arrangements are being handled by the Mountain View Mortuary of South Range, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com