Karen Blaise

Karen "Krogh" Blaise passed away November 25, 2025. She was 92 years old.

Karen is the widow of Francis Joseph Blaise to whom she was married for 69 years. She is survived by her six children: Christopher Scott Blaise, Wendy Blaise Perrine, Cynthia Blaise, Kevin Francis Blaise, Kathy Blaise Young, and Elizabeth Blaise Dubuisson; her brother Erik Edward Krogh, and her sister Sigrid Krogh Kenny. Karen has 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fran, her father Kaare Krogh, and her mother Helen Malmborg.

Karen was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 18, 1933. As a teenager Karen worked part-time at The Marshall Fields on State Street, studied at Kemper Hall Women's Episcopal High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and later Ripon College in Racine, Wisconsin. Having met Francis (Fran) on a blind date two years earlier, the two eloped on October 14, 1953. Karen told the story that Fran proposed while intoxicated on their second date. She said yes to teach him a lesson.

The two had six children in nine years and lived in several communities in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York before settling in Kalamazoo, Michigan where they lived for 36 years.

Along with her family, Karen's faith was the center of her life. She loved Jesus, attending Episcopal services, participating in Cursillo, Kids' Hope, EFM and daily Scripture reading. Karen shared her love for God with every person she met; exuding warmth, joy and peace in the Lord. All who knew her loved her.

Karen was an avid foodie and accomplished chef. Soon after becoming an empty nester in 1980, Karen decided to finally start getting paid for her culinary talent. She graduated as a professional chef from SUNY Cobbleskill in 1982. She ran a catering business and was Executive Chef at Wyndham Luxury Apartments in Kalamazoo before retiring. She lovingly cooked for her loved ones and church functions into her 90s.

Karen was a gentle giant, matriarch to a large, loving family. While her earthly presence is sorely missed by all who loved her, her legacy of love lives on in the lives of her family and friends.

Karen's life will be celebrated at St. Martin of Tours in Kalamazoo, Michigan at 12:30 p.m., on Sunday, June 7th.