IRMO – Karin Dagmar Lyons (Omi), 75, departed this earthly life peacefully on May 28, 2020 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on February 8, 1945 in Dresden, East Germany. She was predeceased by her parents, Maria & Emil Richter, as well as 6 of her 8 siblings.
Karin’s strength and resilience began young as she and her family migrated from East to West Germany shortly after WWII. As the youngest of 9 children, she helped maintain her family’s farm while she attended Catholic school. Once becoming a mother, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family as the lead waitress and bartender for several establishments. During this time, she taught herself English by reading magazines. In 1979 she married and began her service as a US Military spouse for over 20 years, while working and raising her family. In 1995, she and her family left Germany and were stationed in SC, where she would partner to open her first business, a franchise called Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, and she became known as “The Pretzel Lady”. In 2002, she opened her second business, Karin’s Kitchen, a German restaurant in Charleston, SC. In the years following, Karin continued working and running her business until she retired at the age of 70.
Karin enjoyed gardening, spending time at Lake Murray, knitting/crocheting, music, dancing, spending time with her dog, vacationing, and building memories with friends and family, particularly with her granddaughter Madyson. Karin was a social butterfly, whose magnetic personality, emerald eyes, intellect, quick wit, infectious smile, and warm, giving heart made it easy to love her.
In her last days, Karin was cared for by her two daughters Diana and Angela, and granddaughter Madyson along with several nurses, chaplains and social workers from the Compassionate Care Hospice team.
Left to cherish memories of Karin is her loving dog Lucky, daughters Silvia, Diana, and Angela; her grandchildren Sabrina, Nicole, Selina, Miguel, Kristian and Madyson; her great-grandchildren Jordan, Larissa, Wayland and Brynnlee; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other relatives who will miss her tremendously.
A memorial service to celebrate Karin’s life will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, on Friday, June 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., with a limited number of attendees. A virtual option is also available through the Dunbar Facebook page. The family will receive friends and relatives immediately following the service at Lake Murray Dam – Irmo Side at 5:00 p.m.
Flowers can be sent directly to Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel. Honorary Memorial Donations can be made to Palmetto Lifeline Animal Shelter or the National MS Society.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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