Karri Preis

Karri Ann Preis, age 47 years of Niles, Michigan; daughter, significant other, first responder, and animal lover died early Saturday morning, November 11, 2023 at Westwoods of Niles, following an extended illness.

She was born on August 27, 1976 in Berrien Center, Michigan to Stephen A. and Cherry A. (Smyrski) Preis, and was graduated from Berrien Springs High School.  She continued her education at Lake Michigan College to become certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, and later as a Paramedic.  She served on the ambulance teams of several area community ambulance services.

Karri loved animals, taking-in various pets in need of care, and nursing them back to health.  She also enjoyed wildlife, and was an active volunteer at the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.  She enjoyed cooking, and would make a great lasagna.

Surviving family includes Karri’s parents, Steve & Cherry Preis of Niles; and Karri’s significant other of many years, Carl Gugel of Elkhart, Indiana.

The family of Karri Preis will gather privately to share memories and honor her life.  Contributions in memory of Karri may be made to The Yeager Family Pet Shelter of the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, 5400 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085, https://humanesocietyswm.org/.

Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Forty-seven years seems to be a brief life, but Karri used those years well, responding to emergency situations to provide medical care – sometimes saving a life, and caring for pets, which was also sometimes lifesaving; but most importantly caring for her parents and for Carl.