Kay Marian Mikulik

Kay Marian (Christiansen) Mikulik passed away peacefully on October 26, 2025 in Coppell, Texas. She was born on September 24, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and grew up on Palmer Square in Chicago, Illinois, with her three siblings, Karen, Kent, and Karla. When she was 19, she joined the Sisters of Providence and attended St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana. She earned a degree in elementary education and began her career in teaching. Over time, she gravitated toward specializing in care for special needs students. She loved her time as a teacher and carried that same nurturing spirit throughout her life – tutoring, teaching preschool, and later working alongside her dear friend Rhonda at a veterinary clinic.

Kay left the religious life at 29 years old and moved back to Chicago where she met Weldon, her faithful husband of 50 years. After marrying, they moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where they welcomed their two daughters, Erica and Christina. In 1980, the family settled in Greenville, South Carolina. The foothills of Upstate South Carolina became home for the next 40 years before Kay and Weldon moved to St. Joseph’s Village in Coppell, Texas, in 2019.

Kay found joy in the simple things of life – a walk with a friend, reading a book with a grandchild, dunking a donut into a steaming cup of coffee, and reading Peanuts comic strips. She also enjoyed experimenting with cooking, listening to all kinds of music, and spending time in her sunroom tending to her many house plants. She lived for her family and was happiest when she was surrounded by them. She also had a special place in her heart for her Shih Tzus, who were constant companions over the years. Above all, she adored her four grandchildren, who brought her endless happiness and pride.

Kay’s Catholic faith was an important part of her life. While living in Greenville, she attended the Poor Clare Monastery. She also served her faith community through her involvement in St. Theresa Guild, where she developed some of her deepest and most lasting friendships. Her faith guided her to live her life with kindness, purpose and love. She had a way of noticing those who might otherwise be overlooked and always made people feel seen and valued. She was a loyal friend, a devoted wife, and a deeply loving mother and Nana whose greatest desire was to comfort, support, and encourage the people she loved. Kay taught us there was always something to celebrate and coined her signature phrase, a simple but perfect reflection of how she approached life - “Happy, Happy, Happy”.

She is survived by her husband, Weldon Mikulik; her daughters, Erica Kernan and husband Sean, and Christina Parker and husband John; her cherished grandchildren, Clare and Simon Kernan and Nash and Nora Parker; her brother, Kent Christiansen; and many beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Family, friends, and residents are invited to join us on Monday, November 3rd for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Chapel at St. Joseph’s Village, in Coppell, Tx. A reception will follow in St. Joseph’s Living Room.

To honor Kay’s faith and service, donations may be made to one of the causes that were closest to her heart.

Sisters of Providence: https://spsmw.org/donate/

Special Olympics of Texas: https://www.sotx.org

Poor Clare Sisters of South Carolina: https://poorclaresosc.org/travelers-rest-sc-hn2/

A memorial service will be held in Greenville, South Carolina at a later date to be announced.