Karen Chmielewski, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 20, 2026.  Karen was well known for her warm smile, generous spirit and deep love of family. She was born on December 12, 1941, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Lyle and Hazel Laird.  Karen moved to Manistee, Michigan in 1957, and graduated from Manistee High School in 1959, where she was a member of the National Honor Society.  After graduating, Karen went to work as a switchboard operator for a couple of years with the Century Boat Company. After leaving Century Boat, she was employed as a telephone operator for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company until she left to get married in the fall of 1964. After starting her family and raising her children for a few years, Karen became a Licensed Daycare Provider and took care of numerous children over a period of 10 years. Karen loved traveling, going to Casinos, camping, going to concerts and spending as much time as possible with her family.

Karen met the love her life, Robert Chmielewski, in 1959, and they were married on October 31, 1964.  Together they raised two wonderful sons, Jeffrey, and Mark.

Karen is survived by her husband, Robert; son Jeffrey; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Michelle; granddaughters Erica and Rachel; sister Donna Laird and brother-in-law Donald Chmielewski; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Lyle and Hazel, mother-in-law Charlene Chmielewski, father-in-law Theodore Chmielewski, sisters-in-law Sue Anne Wisneski (Chmielewski) and Priscilla Chmielewski (Sedler), and brother-in-law Darrell Wisneski.

Visitation will be held at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 10:00 am. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11:00 am also at the funeral home in Manistee with Rev. James Bearss officiant.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions instead be made to the Manistee County Library of 95 Maple St. Manistee, MI.

Herbert Funeral Home, P.C. of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements