Karen Larkin Johnson

Karen Larkin Johnson died peacefully, on October 11, 2023, after fighting a ten-month battle with Glioblastoma with grace and humor.

Karen was born in Chicago on April 30th, 1940, to the late Jack and Dorothy (LeMire) Root. Karen spent many happy years in Crown Point IN with her Root cousins followed by a family move to Escanaba MI with her LeMire cousins. Karen thought that both places were magical including the Lake County Fair and musical productions in her garage in Indiana and golf, ice skating, and tasseling corn in Michigan. In high school, Karen’s family moved to Aurora IL where she attended West Aurora High School. Never one to shy away from meeting others, Karen jumped into many different organizations from student council to writing music for the school musical, making many friends along the way. She attended Barat College, making lifelong friends, known as the ‘Barat Beauties’, who have been with her through all the laughter and the tears.

Living in Winnetka, IL with her first husband John, Karen had five children in five years but found time to be active in her parish, Saints Faith Hope and Charity and volunteer for many organizations including the Winnetka Woman’s Club, writing several of the cabaret songs for their annual show including ‘Thanks’ which was sung for many years at the end of every show. In 1974, Karen and John moved to Grand Beach, Michigan as their permanent home. Close friendships were forged that exist to this day. There were many parties on the back patio or up at the Clubhouse and Karen was always ready to golf, play bridge, or sing and dance with her friends. In 1984, her beloved son Stephen left us for heaven. This was a difficult time, but Karen’s faith was always strong and she comforted others even as she dealt with this devastating loss. Karen always told us that ‘in the matter of birth and death, the way, the time, and the place is in God’s hands’. She spoke with Him often, never hesitant to share His words. In the early 90’s, Karen became a close friend of Bill W.

Karen married Tom Johnson in 1993 in New Buffalo. They had a shared love of Colorado, travel, Michigan football games and family. She welcomed Luke, Matt and Elizabeth into her life and loved them as her own children. They moved to Fort Myers FL for their winters, spending time with many families from Grand Beach and making new friends along the way. Tom sadly passed away in 2013.

Karen was blessed with an additional relationship in these last few years with Jim Milligan with whom she had many happy days and memories.

Karen had various jobs in the 1980’s but found her true calling in real estate. She was instrumental in marketing and selling the New Buffalo Harbor condo community with South Cove and The Moorings from 1980 to 1990. She was active in the development of ‘Harbor Country’ and was one of the original committee members who established the Ship and Shore Festival in 1984. After South Cove, Karen coordinated sales for Forest Beach over the next 10 years. After working for others, Karen decided to build her own business, starting KLJ Real Estate in 2002. She worked with many individuals and families to help them find their forever homes in Harbor Country. She was creative and innovative and knew her clients well. She created strong relationships with her clients, and we think many would call her a dear friend. She finished her real estate career as a broker with Keller Williams just a year ago, working with her son John.

At the core of all of Karen’s passions were her family. Karen is survived by her sisters, Marcia Jansen and Nancy Smith, both of whom she was close with and loved dearly; her children: Anne (Hugh) Tuomey, Dorothy Carroll, John Larkin, Michael (Francie) Larkin, Luke Johnson, Matt Johnson (Erica), and Elizabeth Vaughn (Jon). She was a beloved grandmother to Marisa Carroll (Liam Lowery), Nicole Carroll, Mary Katherine Tuomey, Hugh Tuomey, Kieran Tuomey, Ryan Larkin, Nora Larkin, Jack Larkin, Meg Larkin, Kate Larkin, Callahan Larkin, Quinn Larkin, Annie Larkin, Ava Johnson, August Johnson, Meredith Johnson, Alana Vaughn, Olivia Vaughn, Ella Vaughn, Wyatt Johnson and her great grandson Jude Lowery. She will be remembered by her many nieces and nephews who loved her humor, faith and joyful approach to life. Her son Stephen Larkin and daughter in law Stacey Larkin, preceded her in death.

We are grateful to her many doctors, nurses and care givers at Dana Farber, Moffitt Cancer Center, Northwestern Hospital, Caring Circle Hospice and the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, MI.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday-Oct. 17, 11:00am(CST) at Notre Dame Catholic Church – 1010 Moore Rd., Michigan City, IN. Visitation with the family is on Monday-Oct. 16, from 5:00-8:00pm(EST) at the Sommerfeld Chapel – 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI, and also one hour (10:00-11:00am CST) preceding the service on Tuesday at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Interment will be private at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo MI.

Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to the John P. Foley SJ Legacy Fund at www.CristoReyNetwork.org/giving/legacy-society (please copy and paste the url).

Karen’s favorite saint was Saint Therese Lisieux (of The Little Flower). Roses are St. Therese's signature and Karen would look for them as a sign of St. Therese’s divine intervention. It is her way of whispering to those who need a sign that she has heard, and God is responding. We hope you will think of Saint Therese and Karen when you see a rose!