Karen R. Hamilla
Karen Hamilla
MUNISING, MI – Karen R. Hamilla, age 80, of Munising, died peacefully on Saturday morning, May 16, 2020 with the morning sunshine on her face at Munising Memorial Hospital. Annette (Brebner) and Felix Boyak welcomed her into their world on New Year’s Day – 1940. Her childhood in Munising instilled the roots of faith, love, and family that Karen carried throughout her lifetime. She graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1957 and was voted Miss Alger County in 1958. Karen married Frank E. Hamilla on July 15, 1961 and together they raised their four children. Karen and Frank were a beautiful couple who enjoyed gathering with family and friends. They knew how to have fun, laugh, love unconditionally and when they would dance together – the world would stop to admire them glide across the dance floor. They were married over thirty years when Frank unexpectedly preceded her in death on April 30, 1992. Karen worked throughout her life and was employed at Denman’s Department Store and Hiawatha Telephone Company. She retired as a customer service representative from HTC and then seasonally worked at Madigan’s Hardware, the Pictured Rocks Cruises, and in the gift shop at the Dogpatch. Karen was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Church where she served as a Eucharistic minister, was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters and was part of St. Joseph Circle. Karen enjoyed playing BINGO, traveling, visiting with family, watching sports, taking trips to the casino, and supporting her children and grandchildren in their endeavors. Karen was a caring and forgiving woman who eternally found the best in everyone. Throughout her life, she experienced times of difficult physical and mental health ailments, but Karen ALWAYS kept her faith and amazingly recovered from those times.
She is survived by her four children – Frank (Lori) Hamilla of Boyne City, Marilyn (Eric) Oas of Manistique, Mark (Amy) Hamilla of Marquette, and Carrie Mattson of Munising; her grandchildren – Madison and Molly Hamilla, Alex Oas, Josie and Mylie Hamilla, and Frankie and Anthony Mattson; her baby sister – Cathy (Tooker) Hamilla of Flushing; sisters-in-law – Joyce Boyak and Deanna Boyak of Munising, Carolyn Boyak of Garden City, and Carol Calkins of Muskegon; numerous nieces, nephew, and cousins; her “partner in crime”, pilot, co-pilot and special friend – Clare Prunick of Munising; and her “grand dogs” that brightened her day when they would visit at Medilodge or the hospital during the last few years.
Karen was preceded in death by her Mama and Daddy – Annette and Felix Boyak, her loving husband Frank, and her cherished siblings – infant Joseph, Lorraine (Paul) Boucher, Mark Boyak, Ann (Ed) Sowa, Bob Boyak, Jeanne (Ron) Strand, and Fuzzy Boyak.
Karen’s children are forever grateful to the staff and caregivers at Munising Memorial Hospital, Medilodge, Alger County Commission on Aging, and UPCAP for the care and assistance they gave her over the last days and years of her life.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday. Due to the health restrictions in place, the funeral home and family are requesting that if possible family and friends who wish to come try to use the following schedule. Last names A – F come between 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., last names G – L come between 5:00 – 6:00, last names M – R come between 6:00 – 7:00, and last names S – Z come between 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. No one will be turned away if they cannot make the suggested schedule. Only ten people at a time will be allowed in the funeral home and we ask that you be patient with staff as we direct friends through the building. Masks and social distancing will be asked of those visiting.
Karen’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Michael Ocran on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Sacred Heart Church in Munising at 11:00 a.m. Once again, social distancing rules and wearing of masks will be asked of those who attend. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising and Karen will be escorted by her seven grandchildren.
If wishing to make a memorial in Karen’s name, it is suggested to be made to Alger County Commission on Aging, Sacred Heart Church, Medilodge Activity Fund, or the Alger County Animal Shelter.
Her obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net