Obituary of Chris Marie Burger Karlsson

Chris Marie Burger Karlsson, 64, of Cromwell, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. Chris was born on Jan. 4, 1950 in Duluth. Chris had an infectious, flamboyant personality and the world was her stage, evident in her beloved family nickname, "Auntie Mame." Chris loved her family and friends with all her heart, unconditionally. She was non-judgmental and always saw the good in everyone. She had a generous heart, opening her home to all and welcoming people and animals with warmth and humor. Chris' only fault was never putting herself before others, even as she battled cancer, which she fought ferociously to the very end. Chris loved her home on Eagle Lake and her beautiful flower gardens, which she tended into the wee hours of the morning, by the light of the moon. She was a talented artist, passionate about crafts, painting, and framing. She also loved to swim and dance, gangnam style! Chris loved decorating her home for the holidays and she and her husband Rick had an award-winning Halloween yard display, anticipated annually by neighbors and trick-or-treaters. She graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School and went on to graduate from St. Scholastica, with a degree in Home Economics. Before retiring, she worked at the job she loved, a picture framer at Andrens in Duluth, where she used her artistic flair to help customers select the perfect mat and frame for treasured memories. Chris was preceded in death by her father Edward Burger. She is survived by her husband Rick, of 16 years; son Mark Anderson; mother Florence Burger; sister Debbie Inwood (Tom); brothers Terry Edward Burger (Jane) and Tracy Burger (Kay); brother-in-law Paul Karlsson (Doreen); nieces Tiffany Angela, Alysia Lynn, Heidi, Jenny, and Amy; nephews Cole, Cash, Chad, and Jason; great-nephews, Drew, Michael Adrian, Aaron, and Simon; great-nieces Isabella Rose and Lilly; special friends Dave Tollefson and Molly Kundinger; and constant canine companions Morgan and Bella. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Bethany Lutheran Church, 5660 Highway 210, Cromwell, Minn. A luncheon will be served immediately following the service. In honor of Chris, you're invited to wear purple, her favorite color, symbolic of her annual Halloween witch costume and her membership in the Wild, Wise, Wacky Women of Cromwell. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Department, 5592 Highway 210, Cromwell, MN 55726. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt, "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, and leave footprints on our hearts."