Karen Ann Irene (Saari) Burge, 71, of rural Crystal Falls, passed away on Nov. 1, 2025, after a long battle with clear-cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Karen was born on Aug. 18, 1954, in Hancock, the second daughter of Carl I. and Irma A. (Holappa) Saari. She was raised in Paavola Location and attended Hancock Public Schools, graduating in 1972. She graduated from Suomi College in 1974.

On March 22, 1975, she married Michael Ray Burge of Dollar Bay, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. After living for a few years in Racine, Wisconsin, and Houghton, they raised their three boys, Allan Michael, Steven William, and Jeffrey Peter, in Crystal Falls.

When all three boys were in school, Karen went to work for the Forest Park School District, firs

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