Karin was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on March 8, 1954, to Amy and Ted Placzhouski. Ted and Amy met while Ted was stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany, raising Karin and her younger sister Arlene Anderson largely in southern Germany, close to Amy’s family. Karin carried her upbringing with her after moving to the States as a child, continuing to learn the language and maintain a connection with extended family in Europe.
Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Karin worked in the secretarial field, where she met her husband Lt. Cdr. Wayne R. “Skip” Merrill, U.S. Navy retired. Shortly after, they were married and began their life on the farm. There, together, Karin and Skip raised Karin’s two sons and Skip’s daughter.
Karin loved her farm life – an avid gardener and photographer. She loved riding her horse and relaxing on the porch with Skip and their cats. The life Karin and Skip built at the farm made it the location for most extended family gatherings. She was a consummate hostess, filling the house with food and conversation, fun and family.
Diving into the community, Karin worked for Planning & Zoning for Orange County, and was Parish Administrator for St. Thomas Episcopal Church for more than 20 years. She also spent time as an administrator for Chancellor Baptist church in Fredericksburg. As a volunteer, Karin served on the Orange County Fair Board and was a 4-H advisor.
Karin was an amazing artist, having studied old master painting under Evelyn Raper. She was skilled in a variety of media, including watercolor, oils, acrylics and colored pencil, and exhibiting at local art shows and working as a commercial and commissioned painter. She passed on her love of art to her family, always happy to provide both technical and moral support for their work as well.
Karin is survived by her husband Skip Merrill, her sons John Campbell and Joshua Campbell, her step-daughter Bree Merrill Tate and her husband Scott Tate, her sister Arlene Anderson, granddaughters Isabella, Amelia and Melanie Campbell, step-granddaughters Sophie and Annabelle Tate, niece Emil Frock and her husband Scott Frock.
A memorial and committal service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange, Virginia at 119 Caroline Street at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite local charity organization.
Share On: