Karilyn Jean Jackson

My beautiful wife Karilyn, my dearest friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior December 19, 2024. Karilyn was 74 years old, born February 27, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ronald; three children Terry (Nicole) Jackson of Grand Rapids, Kristin (Brandon) Herrick of Muskegon, Tyler (Lisa) Jackson of Grand Haven; brother, Steve Broad of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and cousin, Linda Miller of Lexington, Kentucky. She was also a grandmother to eight wonderful grandchildren including Zeke (22), Lilly (21), Evy (8), Jude (7), Hans (5), Sloane (2 1/2), Ernie (1), and Winston (8 months). The grandkids were the love of her life. She loved spending time with them and often provided care so the parents could work or have some free time for themselves.

As a child growing up in Des Moines, Karilyn had many fond memories of their family time at Christmas, taking vacations out west, summer fishing trips to Minnesota, and making their annual Fourth of July trip to the family farm in Kansas.

In 1972, Karilyn graduated from the University of Iowa School of Social Work and worked at Broadlawns Medical Center-Hospital in Des Moines and Trinity Regional Medical Center-Hospital in Fort Dodge.

One of Karilyn’s highest priorities, next to her personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, was to make sure her children attended Christian school. She was very industrious, starting a cleaning and daycare business to pay for school tuition.

Karilyn loved to sing and was involved with singing groups in high school and college and sang in the church choir. She loved praise music. Karilyn loved our family holidays - decorating the house and making it a special time for our family. Karilyn loved living out in the country and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. She documented over 34 different bird species in our backyard.

Karilyn will be profoundly missed as a wife, mother, and grandmother. We know that as a family we will all be reunited in eternity. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:8 “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

Karilyn, we love you! Ron, Terry, Kristin, and Tyler

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home – Dorr Chapel, 4330 18th Street, Dorr, MI 49323, with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. In memory of Karilyn and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Corewell Health Hospice. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookdorr.com in their guestbook online.