In Memory of Karin Wilson(1948 - 2018)
- Name
- Karin Wilson
- Spouse
- Steven Wilson
- Children
- Dorek, Unja
- Birth Date
- September 18, 1948
- Blessing Date
- July 1, 1982
- Ascension Date
- November 3, 2018
Karin was born on September 18, 1948 in Bremen, Germany. Her parents are Wilhelm and Johanna Schmidt. She has two older sisters: Ulrike Hampel and Elfriede Schmidt-Christ. She had a very sheltered and happy childhood, growing up in a small village (Platjenwerbe) near Bremen, surrounded by beautiful nature. Her father was the Principle of the village’s school.
During her teenage years, she enjoyed sports especially rowing, swimming, hiking, and biking. With her friends she biked from Youth Hostel to Youth Hostel during the summers, those were very happy times. She liked to travel, her favorite countries were Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands.
Her favorite subjects in high school were Math, Latin, Geography, and Art. After graduating, she moved to Leverkusen to study computer programming. After graduating in spring 1970 she worked at Bayer as a computer programmer and then moved to Heidelberg to work at the University in January 1971.
She joined the Unification Church on September 25, 1971 in Heidelberg, Germany. Her spiritual parents are Paul and Christel Werner. Her father died unexpectantly a few days after I joined. Her mother joined the Unification Church on January 1, 1977 and received the Single Blessing on April 7, 1989 in the World Mission Center, N.Y., by our True Parents. Later, as the providence allowed it, she received the Heaven/Earth Blessing with my father by HJN and Daemonim in Washington, DC.
On January 15, 1973, Karin arrived with the first European missionary group. As a member of OWC and IOWC she participated in witnessing, fundraising, and campaigns. It was a very intense time. Karin participated in TP’s providential speaking events like Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, 32 city Day of Hope Tour, 8 City Tour, 21 City Tour, Yankee Stadium, Washington Monument.
After Father bought the WMC in May 1976, she was with the very first group who moved there. First, she was on the cleaning crew, then worked at the front desk, and then she was for exactly 40 months the accountant of the World Mission Center.
Steven Wilson and Karin were matched on May 12, 1979 in the World Mission Center, N.Y., and they were Blessed in marriage on July 1, 1982 (2075 couples) in Madison Square Garden, N.Y. by True Parents. They have two children: Dorek and Unja (Matched and Blessed by True Parents with Michael Hempowicz in December 2004 in East Garden, New York).
“Every time I saw True Parents was a very special occasion. The first time I met True Parents was in Essen, Germany, in March 1972. Less than a year later, on Jan. 15, 1973, when the first European members arrived in the USA, True Parents waited for us at JFK airport and welcomed us when we entered the public area. I still remember their smiling faces as we walked by them one by one. We stayed two weeks in Belvedere and True Father spoke to us every day.
I participated in all of True Father’s speaking tours during 1973, 1974, and 1975, as an IOWC member, as well as Carnegie Hall speech (10-1-73), Madison Square Garden speech (9-18-74), Yankee Stadium speech (6-1-76), Washington Monument speech (9-18-76). As we traveled from city to city, we worked hard to invite people to come to Father’s speeches. Once True Parents arrived in our city, I had the privilege be on the house staff team. After we came home from the speech, Father changed clothes and I washed his laundry, which was soaking wet from the sweat he poured out during the speeches. He truly gave his 100% effort. In Raleigh, North Carolina, I ate lunch with True Parents at their table right next to True Mother, and I ironed True Father’s suit just before he had to speak in public.
One Sunday afternoon I was walking on 5th Avenue in New York City, inviting people to the Yankee Stadium event. Suddenly a big black car stopped next to me and True Father called me over, handed me three bags of candy and chocolate and said “thank you” and patted my arm. Needless to say, that I was on cloud 9 for a long time. In the evening we all shared the sweets and I still have some empty wrappers.
When Father bought the World Mission Center in 1974 I was in the first group to move in. We had a lot of cleaning to do. Then Rev. Vincent asked Klara Chen, Renee Phil, and myself to multiply several bowls of Holy Salt, which True Father used to sanctify the whole building with. We felt so honored. A little later I worked at the front desk of the WMC and shortly after that as the accountant of the WMC. That mission I had for exactly 40 months, it was my favorite mission. During that time we saw True Parents almost every Sunday morning in Belvedere.
Steve and I were matched by True Father on May 12, 1979 in the Ballroom of the WMC, and had the Holy Wine ceremony the next day. On July 1, 1982, we participated in the 2075 couples Blessing in Madison Square Garden. In September of that year, after living in New York for seven years, I moved to Mobile, Alabama, to join my husband, who worked there in Master Marine and later in IOE. I too worked in both companies as a bookkeeper. Both of our children were born in Mobile, Dorek on Sept. 20, 1983, and Unja on June 16, 1987.
In the summer of 1997, our whole family went door to door and Blessed 185 couples with holy wine. During that year we had a Korean exchange student (Ga Eun Kim)living with us. Shortly after Father started the Cheong Pyeong Providence, I went to a 10-day workshop there in June 1997. I love Cheong Pyeong so much and went there several times, especially in September 2000 to the 21-day Blessed Wives workshop, in February 2003 when I received the CIG Award, and in Sept./Oct. 2005 to the 40-day Blessed Wives workshop. Steve and I Blessed many generations of our ancestors.”
- Time
- 10:00 AM
- Date
- Thursday, November 8, 2018
- Location
- Serenity Event Center: 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd. Building 2, Theodore, AL 36582
Jutta Tobkin
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Although I am also German by birth, I never worked with Karin directly. I got to know her mother Frau Schmidt as she lived in the same town as my mother in Northeim/Hannover. Whenever I visited with my mother I also stopped by to see Frau Schmidt, she always talked about Karin and her family and felt sorry that she couldn’t visit more often. We had the traditional “Kaffeeklatsch,” while visiting for a while. I corresponded with Karin’s mother for Christmas until she passed away. Karin, your mom has prepared a special place for you.
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Wayne Hankins
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God Bless you Karin Wilson, It is heart warming simply to read of your loyalty and love of True Parents. May your journey be joyful and safe to your eternal home.
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Julian Gray
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I was moved to read Karin’s story. Her life expresses so much faith and heart for God’s will to be fulfilled in this world. I am almost certain that I remember Karin at Camp K, California, toward the end of 1980 or early 1981 when I joined, so maybe she spent time in California witnessing after she was matched.
May God bless and embrace you in the heavenly realms, Karin, and your family on earth.
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Brenda Miller, Maryland
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Karin and I worked together at the World Mission Center for a few years; it was around the time of True Father’s 60th birthday. We were also on the One World Crusade together. Karin was a strong sister, always steady and firm in her beliefs; a true German who became an international person for True Parents.
I tried to paste a picture here but it wouldn’t work. I have a copy of a picture of Karin with other sisters while giving a street rally in 1973, witnessing about True Father’s upcoming speech and announcing the One World Crusade.
Karin, you are a beloved daughter of True Parents. Enjoy life in the spiritual world with whatever mission you are given.
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Kiyoko Bowman
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I know her we are young and we did many activies.she was very happy porson I will see you again next world, peace love you
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Carmen Kimura
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God bless you Karin! You worked so hard in this life now you can join our True Father and continue the work from the spiritual world. Many blessings on your family.
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Christel WERNER
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Another one of our most dedicated early members was called home. I vividly remember her joy and complete dedication after joining our movement in 1971 in Germany, and that never changed. She cheerfully served, wherever she was needed, with all her heart and was the most dependable sister, never wavering under the most difficult circumstances. After her blessing with Steven Wilson in 2075 she joined him in Bayou La Batre, where Steve worked with us in the shipbuilding and seafood industries and we could only be successful because of the support and total investment of our loyal brothers and sisters like Steven and Karin Wilson. She loved and served so many members down in the Bayou with a cheerful smile even while she was battling this severe illness for years. Your suffering is over and your spirit is free now, and new adventures are awaiting you in spirit world. I’m sure your Mom and Paul can’t wait to greet you and lead you to your new eternal home. Have a safe journey, dear Karin. My love and prayers are with you and your beloved family. With all my love and prayers, until we meet again, Christel
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Christel WERNER
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Another one of our early members was called home. I vividly remember Karin joining our movement in 1971 in Germany. She joyfully served in every mission with all her heart and her many capabilities with utmost dedication. She was one of the most dependable spiritual children we were blessed with. After her blessing with Steven Wilson in 1982 she joined him in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. We could only be successful in our mission developing the shipbuilding and seafood industries down there because of the support and total investment of our loyal brothers and sisters down there, like Steven and Karin Wilson. For many years you suffered so much while being treated for this severe illness, but you kept on serving without complaints. Your brave battle is over and you are on your way to your eternal home. I’m sure, your Mom and Paul are awaiting you to guide you along the way. Our prayers are with you and your loving family. With all my love, until we meet again. Christel
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Renee Pihl
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Your love and faith were always steadfast, you were one of these people we could always rely on. God has certainly a special place for you in the eternal world! With a lot of love and happiness. Renee
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Maria Spari
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I knew your Mother Johanna, and it was a great help in my early years, since my own Mom was so completely negative towards our church and True Parents, to know this group of Parents not only praying for their own children, but especially for us “orphans”. Wishing you to find your place and you parentsand True Father in a beautyful realm…
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Jean Gomis
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Condolences to the Wilson Family. I remember Karen from the World Mission Center for her dedication, hard work and sacrifice for the Providence. Karen will be missed.
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