Karen Linea Strid Hamer, RN, died peacefully on December 6, 2024.
Karen brought joy to her family when she was born on March 26, 1940, the third child of Jean and Stanley Strid, who are deceased. She happily joins her sons Michael and RayRay Hamer in Heaven.
She leaves behind her beautiful red-headed daughter, Kristine (Doug) Vandermark, and her Godson, Little Tony Marine. Karen was very vocal in her love and pride for her grandchildren – James (Caitlin) Vandermark and Kara (Brian) Ociepka, who both followed in her footsteps and became Registered Nurses. Being a grandmother brought her so much joy, and she loved her great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Oliver, and Axel.
Family was important to Karen. She loved all her siblings and was preceded in death by Phillip Wilson, Stellan Strid, and Janet (Gary) McNeil. She is remembered dearly by Vivian (Tony) Marine, Kippy (Amy) Wilson, Bruce (Margie) Wilson, Bonnie (Tom) Nelson, as well as beloved nieces and nephews.
Karen was a proud graduate of Michael Reese Hospital Medical Center, class of February 1961. She dedicated her life to geriatric and psychiatric nursing and worked 55 years in the career that brought her so much happiness and love. She was a career woman before her time, who dedicated her life to helping others and touching many lives.
She also was an animal lover and a mama to any stray cat that needed love. She is reunited with her beloved cats Lightning, Dotto, Big Foot, Roise, KK, and the other 40.
Karen will be greatly missed and will be remembered as a selfless, hardworking, strong woman, who was so proud of her nursing career. She loved her family greatly and always helped anyone who needed it. She always was reading, dancing, and singing, bringing joy and making friends everywhere she went.
A memorial service was held on December 28 at Hack Funeral Home in Beecher. In her memory, please make donations to PAWS, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
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