Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Thursday

January 31, 2013

Karin A. Harrison

----

RAPID CITY — Karin A. Harrison, 66, of Rapid City, passed away at Munson Medical Center with her loving husband by her side on Jan. 26, 2013. She was born in Detroit to Jean Ann and Don Berg and spent most of her childhood summers at Elk Lake with her parents.

Karin was a cheerleader at Henry Ford High School and graduated in 1964. She then attended Michigan State University.

Karin's mother enrolled the family in Detroit Free Press "Learn to Ski" program, and they continued that at the cottage, skiing Mt. Mancelona, Mt. Holiday, Sugarloaf and Boyne Mountain, and remained a lifelong skier.

Karin and her husband, Dave, moved to Owosso, where she worked for Owosso Public Schools; she was the executive secretary at Central Elementary School for 20 years until her retirement in 2000.

Karin and Dave began teaching Alpine skiing in the winter of 1979-80 at Schuss Mountain and continued as part-time instructors through last winter.

They built their home on Elk Lake in 1992 and retired to that location in 2001. Soon after, she became a member of Juniper Garden Club and was active with the club until her passing. She was a past club treasurer and a current member of the board of directors.

Karin had a gift working with flowers. She maintained the flowers in the planters at Mrs. Smith's Village Park as well as the planters at the Alden Depot.

Karin was active in many of the garden club's projects, such as garden walks and pasty sales. Karin was also very involved with K.A.I.R.'s Festival of Trees in November. She had a very talented eye for decorating Christmas trees and setting up other raffle and silent auction items.

She loved working in her flower beds around their home and it is evident that she was gifted. Everyone who saw her flower beds was impressed by the talent she had for "playing in the dirt."

Karin said that she would like to be remembered as a "good person, better cook and great skier."

Karin is survived by her husband, Dave; and their beloved Lab/Shepard mix, Gracie.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Although no services are planned at this time, there will be a celebration of her life this summer in Alden.

Dave would like to thank the staff at Dr. David Michelin's office for helping Karin fight ovarian cancer for six-and-a-half years, as well as the staff on 4C at Munson Medical Center for their care and compassion during the last week of Karin's life.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Juniper Garden Club, PO Box 252, Alden, MI 49612; or K.A.I.R., PO Box 766, Kalkaska, MI 49649. Please share your fond memories and condolences at www.Covell FuneralHomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.

Text Only