Tributes

Karin Maria Bahlke Williams, 82, of Davidson, NC, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 8 from 10am to 12pm at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville. Karin was born in a small town in Germany, where she grew up surrounded by family in a lively, multi-generational home. Her days were filled with walks to school (taught by nuns for which she had many stories); daily stops at the local bakery; playing with neighborhood kids in her grandmother's big backyard garden; and - much to his dismay and laughter later in life - dressing up her little brother, Jürgen, who was 10 years younger. Her family's home was connected to their gasthaus, the town's bar and restaurant, which - along with the beautiful stone church they attended every Sunday - was at the heart of community life. From a young age, Karin's faith was a quiet but steady compass in her life. As a teenager, Karin worked as an office assistant at a local business. She has always been known for her signature sense of style, and particularly her hair. One day, a young American man she'd never met walked by and startled her by saying, "You cut your hair!". She shot back something along the lines of, "What's it to you?" and went on with her day. That young man, George Williams from Ohio, must have made an impression in that exchange because before long, they married and went on to share 63 years together and have a son, Gerald (Gary) Williams. Karin lived a life that many would call an adventure worth writing a book about. She and George, along with their very young son Gary, left Germany for a cottage on the beach in Mexico - where they collected more than a few glamorous and harrowing stories - and Gary assisted her as a tri-lingual toddler at the market. After a couple of years soaking up the sun, they moved back to Germany for a time to enjoy time with Karin's family before heading the States. All told, they moved 19 times and visited a dozen countries vacationing around the world building a lifetime of places, memories, and stories that could fill volumes. In time, Karin became a proud U.S. citizen, and while she remembered her childhood fondly, she was deeply grateful for the opportunity to live what she considered the American dream. Karin and George settled for a time in Illinois, where Gary attended high school. They loved winding down with their favorite comedy shows - I Love Lucy, Johnny Carson, and The Carol Burnett Show -laughing until they cried while sharing a pint of ice cream straight from the carton or a big bowl of popcorn. Karin also doted on her three miniature poodles, whom she loved so fiercely that she could never bring herself to get another dog. At home, she wasn't afraid to work hard or get her hands dirty - whether she was out in the garden (where plants had to put up with being dug up and moved regularly) or working with George and Gary on home projects. She approached everything with energy, humor, and loved soaking up the sunshine. In 1991, Karin and George traded the snow of the mid-west for the sunshine and milder seasons of Charlotte. True to her adventurous spirit, Karin decided to jump back into the workforce and found her calling in local real estate. Friends might be surprised to learn she didn't touch a computer until her 50s - a true testament to her tenacity. While she occasionally called on friends and family for a little "technical support," she always persevered. Over the years, she built so many friendships in the Charlotte real estate community, having genuine care and concern for everyone she worked with. You all meant the world to her - and to the Austin clan, you were truly her second family. She loved you all and was delighted to be a part of your lives. As her granddaughter, watching Karin at family gatherings was my favorite thing. She was one of the rare adults who truly enjoyed her life without façade or reservation. She was the embodiment of warmth and vitality - open-hearted and fully present in excitement, laughter, music, or play. She delighted in spending time with her great-grandchildren. Always the first adult right behind them at every turn, often more excited and engaged than the kids themselves, and seen in the background of their photos. After she passed, the kids were playing cards and one of them innocently asked "Where's Oma?" because it was just expected that if they were playing. she would be checking in, curious about their game. Holidays were her favorite, especially Christmas. We'll deeply miss her wonderfully off-key singalongs to carols, her delight as Gary and Alex cooked a feast, and the way she made every family tradition feel magical. I imagine we'll try our best to recreate her famous magic cookie bars and meatballs and set the table with her favorite china set on Christmas Eve. Her joy was infectious, her sparkle unmistakable, and she made every celebration brighter just by being there. This year - and every year after - we'll raise a glass of Moscato (an indulgence for special occasions), sing a little off-key ourselves, and keep her light shining bright. Karin is survived by her husband, George Edwin Williams; her son, Gerald (Gary) Williams, and daughter-in-law, Laura Williams; her granddaughter, Katie Farmer, and grandson-in-law, Michael Farmer; her grandson, Alex Williams, and granddaughter-in-law, Sara Williams; her great-grandchildren, Gabe Farmer, Aaron Farmer, Freya Williams, and Finn Williams; her sister-in-law, Anita Bahlke, and niece, Jennifer Bahlke; and her sister-in-law, Letty Rinto, and niece, Laura Ann Levans and nephew-in-law, Pat Levans. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Elfriede Bahlke, and her brother, Jürgen Bahlke. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville is proudly serving the Williams family.

Tributes

Karin Maria Williams

September 4, 1943 - November 2, 2025