KI Sook Park

Ki Sook Park, 85, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully in the care of her devoted and loving family on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Ki Sook was born April 17, 1941, in Seoul, South Korea the daughter of Han Jung Cho and Dal Bun Bae. Her youth was spent in difficult times as war devastated her country. Ki Sook Cho was united in marriage to Jae Suk Park on January 2, 1965, in Seoul. They came to the United States in 1973 with three kids and not much money seeking a better life for their family. Even though she spoke limited English at the time, she found work as a server at Shrank’s Cafeteria, as a computer keypunch operator at Leila Hospital, and as a forklift driver for Clark Equipment Company. When Clark Equipment closed, Ki Sook became a hard-working entrepreneur and business owner. She owned and operated a gift shop in Kalamazoo specializing in Asian décor and gifts, and later owned and operated Leslie’s Party Store on East Michigan Ave. in Battle Creek. Ki Sook worked every day until she was finally able to sell the business and retire in 2006.

Sadly, Ki Sook was preceded in death by her husband, Jae Suk Park, on February 11, 2023, and her older sister, Soon Ih Cho, on July 8, 2020. She is survived by a son, Joon Sung (Karen) Park of Richland; daughter, Joon Hi (Michael) Park of Portage; son, Joon Kyu Park of Chicago; five grandchildren, JaeKi Park, Jonah Park, Kayla Park, Lauren Park, Alyssa Park; two sisters, Jo Ann Hayes of Battle Creek and Moon Ja Cho of Springfield, IL; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and their families in the United States and Korea.

Ki Sook loved growing vegetables in her large garden which was the envy of the Korean community near and far. She could make clothes out of whole cloth. She could not miss an episode of Golden Oldies, a Korean musical variety show, and looked forward to it every night, rerun or not. She liked to go fishing, even though she had little time to indulge. But Ki Sook took greatest pride in the success of her three children. Ki Sook will be remembered for her indomitable spirit in the face of enormous challenges; for being a fierce, loving, wonderful mother; for being kind, generous, and funny despite hardships; for being tough, determined, and incredibly smart; and for sacrificing so much.

Friends will be received 10:00 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 Ease D Ave., Richland, MI 49083. There will be a procession at 12:45 a.m. to Mt. Olivet Cemetery for committal and entombment.

Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.