Kari White

Upon returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Kari wound up back at Northern Michigan University, and while there, divorced Paul Marcotte, completed a Bachelor of Science degree, met Paul White, married him, and completed a Master of Science in Administrative Service. What followed was a whirlwind of jobs at Indian University-Perdue University, Fort Wayne, in Indiana, and Olivet College in Michigan. 

Kari, Paul, and Zachary left Fort Wayne in 2001 and moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where she set about caring for and renovating a house built in the 1880s. Not long after their move, Kari and Paul welcomed Molly Anne White into their small household, followed three years later by Meghan White. With their family complete, life settled into a routine for Kari with homeschooling, gardening, crafting, and running a home business being the norm.

In 2017 Kari was diagnosed with Stage IIIB rectal cancer. After much prayer, she elected not to pursue treatment at that time. Instead, she focused on building positive memories of fun activities in and around Wisconsin and Michigan with her daughters.

By 2020, complications from the cancer drove Kari to seek medical assistance. A doctor was stunned to discover that although the original tumor had grown, her disease was at the same stage as when originally diagnosed. That summer, at the height of the pandemic, she entered treatment culminating in a major surgery in May of 2021 after both chemotherapy and chemo-radiation. She endured pain beyond measure or description in preparation for the surgery, and suffered the indignity of surgical violation in the hope that she might have a bit more time with her children and husband.

Within six months, the cancer had recurred locally. Kari ensured more treatment only to find liver and then lung metastases. She had a portion of her lung removed, and the left lobe of her liver. 

Throughout all that she endured, Kari knew three things: the Lord loved her and she him; her family loved her and she them; and no woman should ever suffer because doctors are not willing to listen to their concerns.

On July 10, 2023, Kari entered into home hospice care. On July 18^, 2023, she died peacefully at home. On July 21, 2023, Kari’s mortal remains were buried in the natural burial portion of Prairie Home Cemetery, Waukesha, Wisconsin. 

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, a memorial service will be held honoring Kari’s life and commitment to her Lord and to her family. All are invited to attend at 11:00 am at the Sheboygan Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3920 Saemann Avenue, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. A pot luck lunch will be served immediately following the service.

Kari was preceded in death by her sister, Kristen, grandmother Violet Myrold, both of her in-laws, and numerous aunts and uncles.

The family remains grateful to Dr. H. Marshall Matthews and the staff of Matthews Oncology, Dr. Peter Falk of Green Bay, Dr. Kathleen Christians of Milwaukee, and the staff of the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.