Karen Eveline VerHage

Karen Eveline (Johanson) VerHage of Kalamazoo, Michigan - loving wife, beloved sister, devoted mother, grandmother and aunt - passed away on November 11, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. 

Karen was born on May 24, 1948 in Stockton, California to Henry and Kezia Johanson. The daughter of an ordained pastor of the Swedish Evangelical Covenant Church, Karen and her younger sister Bonnie spent their childhoods living in various parts of the United States: California, Illinois, and Minnesota. From an early age, Karen expressed her creativity with textiles and as a child she knitted sweaters; crocheted blankets, and even sewed herself a 2-piece suit she wore to church. 

She attended secondary school at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1962 to 1966 and from 1966 to 1970 she proudly attended the nursing program at North Park (College) University in Chicago, Illinois. Karen met Tom VerHage in early 1969 when she visited her parents at the Covenant Church in Richland Michigan. The Engineer Farm Boy and soon to be Registered Nurse attended church and plays, went fishing, and laughed their way into creating a bond that would last for the next 54 years. On October 16, 1970, she wore an ivory wedding dress she designed and created to marry her beloved. 

The creation of their family started with great love and great loss as they grieved the loss of their infant daughters Jennifer Lynn (1972) and Kezia Ann (1973). However, joy prevailed in the end as they welcomed son Peter Bjorn (1976), son Joshua Eric (1977) and daughter Alicia Ingrid (1980). They completed their family in 1989 when they adopted their daughter Jill Choon-Ae (1984) from Daegu, Korea. As their children grew, Tom and Karen attended church together; designed and built their dream house in Galesburg Michigan; took cross-country train rides to visit Karen’s family in California; rode bikes throughout Michigan; and hosted their annual Christmas cookie party. Joy grew exponentially when their three eldest children married in turn, and they welcomed five amazing grandchildren. 

Throughout her long career, Karen earned her master’s degree and held many positions in the medical field. She worked in a surgical unit as a hospital nurse; taught nursing at a community college, served as a lead recruiter in a home healthcare agency; and finally retired from a human resources position at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Despite some health challenges, Karen filled her retirement years with creativity and adventure. She continued to knit, crochet, sew and embroider beautiful blankets, purses, clothes and decorations to adorn her house and give to those she loved. Her most cherished creations were the jackets she embroidered for her family; the memory blankets she made for friends and family; and the Christmas tree skirts she handmade for couples on their wedding day. With Tom she traveled throughout the world visiting friends and relatives and exploring new and exciting places. 

Karen is survived by her adoring husband of 54 years, Thomas VerHage; her sister, Bonnie Malouf, her four children: Peter VerHage (Elizabeth); Joshua VerHage (Kara); Alicia Petersen (David); and Jill VerHage; five grandchildren: Samwise VerHage (2008); Sofia Petersen (2012); Graham VerHage (2012); Freya VerHage (2013) and Curtis “CJ” Petersen (2015).

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 2 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen Ave, Portage, MI 49002. A reception in the church fellowship hall will immediately follow. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church with a note that it be allocated to the Racial Equity Group. 

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.