Mary Ann “Annie” (Drew) Karis, 57, of Norwalk passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Sparta.
Annie was born Dec. 5, 1954, to Joseph and Saramae (Fanning) Drew in Janesville. She was a 1973 graduate of Janesville Parker High School. On April 20, 2002, Annie was united in holy matrimony to Michael Karis at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Norwalk.
Annie worked at Northern Engraving for many years before her declining health forced her to retire early. She was an avid Wisconsin sports fan who loved watching the Packers and taking trips to see the Milwaukee Brewers. Bingo was her favorite distraction from her illness, and she played it every chance she could. She adored and cherished the love and support that her husband Mike gave her.
Annie will be missed dearly by her beloved husband, Mike of Norwalk; her mother, Saramae “Sis” Drew of Janesville; her sisters, Rose Lynch of Madison, Carrie (Paul) Drew-Sexton of Moscow, Russia, and Kathy Drew of Madison; her brothers, William (Connie) Drew of Janesville and Robert (Beth) Drew of Hudson, Wis.; nieces and nephews, Kelly (Jonathan) Tabak, Amy Lynch, Mathew Drew, Meghan Drew and Erin Sexton; a great-nephew, Elijah Tabak; her brother- and sisters-in-law, Skip (Kathy) Karis of Onalaska, Wis., and Sharon Karis of Norwalk and her children, Marissa (Jeff) Buchholz and Alex Karis; a special cousin, Tootie Carlson of Edgerton, Wis.; her dear friends, Derek and Toni Statz and their son Jacob of Cross Plains, Wis.; along with other relatives and good friends.
Annie was preceded in death by her father, Joseph; her father- and mother-in-law, Donald and Eleanor Karis; her godparents, Agnes and Louie Hanauska; and her brother-in-law, Douglas Karis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Norwalk. Father Michael Klos will officiate. Burial will follow in the Pilgrim’s Home Cemetery, rural Norwalk. Relatives and friends are invited for visitation from 4–7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home, 211 W. Oak St., Sparta. Visitation will also be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Norwalk is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
