Age 58, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, December 17, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Karen was born on October 12, 1960 in Kalamazoo, daughter of William and Gerrie Peet.  She graduated from Portage Central High School and Western Michigan University.  After graduating, she began working at Hudson’s Department Store at Crossroads Mall in 1984.  It was there she met the love of her life, Alan Syrotchen, who caught her eye while he was working in another department, across the aisle.  Karen continued to work at Hudson’s during their many name changes, including Marshall Fields and currently, Macy’s Department Store.  She loved her customers and loved helping others and always placed their needs ahead of her own.  Karen had many passions and hobbies.  She used to teach aerobic dance and enjoyed swimming and loved to attend estate sales with Alan. Until recently, she also enjoyed going to yoga classes at St. Thomas More and was a member of the “Survivorsize” and the yoga group at the YMCA in both Portage and Kalamazoo.  Karen stressed to be kind and decent to everyone and was a selfless person. On September 25, 1988, Karen married Alan at Kanley Chapel at WMU.  After seven years of marriage, God blessed Karen and Alan with their daughter, Jill Marie, who became the center of their world.  When Jill was in school, Karen was very active as a volunteer at Woodland Elementary and spent much of her time on field trips, as a class room helper, chaperone and just about anything else she could do to spend time with her daughter. Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents as well as her mother and father in law.  She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Alan, their daughter Jill Marie Syrotchen as well as her parents, William and Gerrie, along with her brother Steve (Lisa) Peet and nieces and nephews, Emily, Ashley and Daniel.