Karen Sue Surles of Burton, age 68, died peacefully on June 16, 2022 at Brookdale Grand Blanc. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place. A private burial on the family plot will be planned for a later date. No public services are being held.  Those desiring may make contributions in Karen's memory to For-Mar Nature Preserve's Butterfly House or to the Genesee County Humane Society.

Karen was born in Flint, Michigan on November 16, 1953, the daughter of Thomas and Gloria (Castle) Surles. She graduated from Bentley High School, Class of 1971, and was a lifelong resident of Genesee County. Karen found an outlet for her kind and caring heart through nursing - receiving her degree from Mott Community College and joining the ranks of talented nurses at Hurley Medical Center until her retirement. After retirement, she continued supporting community members navigating healthcare options through her work at the Davison Senior Center.

Karen loved reading, cooking delicious dishes, and traveling. She was a  joyful, adventurous, and fun-loving woman who shared her life and loves with many people - friends from high school, special neighbors, and many others she connected with while shooting pool, playing softball, and bowling.

Karen's greatest passion was her family. She was a beloved and supportive daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, grandaunt, and soon-to-be great grandaunt. She has left her family with many special memories: loud laughter at life's smallest joys, rootbeer floats on warm summer days by the pool, and special birthday shopping trips are only a few. Each butterfly sighting will bring a moment for pause to remember her beautiful soul and be grateful for time spent with her.

She leaves many family members and friends to cherish her memory: her mother Gloria Isaac. Her siblings Deborah Surles, Mark and Cindy Surles, Linda and Jack Watson, and Stephanie and Edmundo Lafuente. Her nieces: Tricia Watson, Amy and Rob Rosario, Andrea and Jeremy Sears, Erin and Jacob Desgrange, and Natalia and Adam Tesler. Her grandnieces and grandnephews: Michael Parker, Olivia Desgrange, Anna Rosario, Mikiela and Jim Grady, Sophie Rosario, Makenzie Irvine, Morgan Sears, Mason Sears, Taylor Baxter, Kyarra Allen, and Rowan Tesler. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living, Debbie Phillips, and Barb & John Hart for their care and concern for Karen. She is preceded in death by her father Thomas Surles, her step-father Paul Isaac, and nieces Carey Baxter and Monika Lafluente. Please share your condolences at www.hansenfuneralhome.net