As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Karen Margaret Koskela of Traprock Valley passed away on August 18, 2025, at her home in Traprock. Karen was born on December 27, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan to parents Arthur and Hilja (Hyotala) Niemi.
Karen graduated from Southfield High School in 1958. She was united in marriage to Albert Koskela on August 26, 1961 in Highland Park, Michigan. She graduated from Wayne State in Detroit in 1962 with a teaching degree and started working at a local elementary school, where she stayed for three years. In 1965, she moved with Albert back to his home in Traprock Valley.
She was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet, Michigan.
Karen loved home decorating and growing flowers, and spending time with her family, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Hilja, her husband of 60 years, Albert, brothers Thomas Niemi, Ronald Niemi, and Robert Niemi, sister Kathleen Kropke, and in-laws Betty and Leigh Zeitz, Arlene and Harold Naasko, Frank Honkala, and Daniel and Cynthia Miller.
She is survived by her children, Jon and Kelly Koskela of Lake Linden, David Koskela of Traprock Valley, James and Trisha Koskela of Hancock, Steven and Mary Koskela of Hancock, Marc and Jeanne Koskela of Traprock Valley, Molly Koskela of Dollar Bay, Kara and Steve Heinonen of Calumet, and Lianne and Benjamin Larson of Traprock Valley, grandchildren Samantha and Jason Kytta, David and Molly Koskela, Carmin and Chase Sturos, Ciara and Eric Cosellian, Clay and Frankie Larson, Molly Larson, Lance Heinonen, Lexi and Coy Anderson, and Kent, Brooke, Dirk, Wade, Romey, Dwight, Bryn, Chet, Jade, Sadie, Peter, and Lauren Koskela, and 13 great grandchildren Ian, Alawna, Brantley, Emma, Jensen, Kyla, William, Clark, Bryce, Theo, Eloise, Orrin, and Blake.
Also surviving is her sister Judith (John Paul) Storm of Bootjack, sisters-in-law Shirley Ann Honkala, Beegu (James) Keranen, Pearl (Robert) Loukus, and Enid (Paul) Pennala, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday August 20, 2025 at 1:00pm at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet, Michigan. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00am – 1:00pm. Burial will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Lake Linden.
Erickson-Crowley-Peterson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
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