Every now and then, when I am out in my garden, I have memories of gardening with Karen. We lived next-door to one another and I have nothing but wonderful memories of what a sweet, kind person she was. I was blessed to call her my friend.

Dear Karen Martin family,
First, please know how very much we loved your mother, grandmother, sister, friend.  She was a dear friend of ours, too.  
But more importantly, please know how much we love you, too, her dear family.  We watched you children become responsible adults and have children of your own - children that, without exception, provided such ongoing joy and delight to Grandma Karen.
We all know her life was not easy, but she kept that million dollar smile, even through the tears.
She was always so interested in our lives, happenings and challenges.
As one of her ministers, she was one of my most faithful encouragers and supporters.  I will greatly miss that!  She also assured me on mutliple occasions that she was praying for me and for our family.
We all knew her to be generous in very quiet ways.   We were the recipients of her generosity!
She continually studied scripture and the theological truths and related application thereof.  She would often give me articles to read and they were always well screened to the point of being absolutely fascinating.
Clearly we are better people for having known and loved her.  Her love for us was obvious and felt continually.
We already miss her.  Even though the shock of her death is wearing down, the hole in our hearts just grows bigger.
Please be assured of our ongoing love and our prayers.
Sue and Randy Gasser

Karen was always so special to our family and she will be greatly missed!  Her genuine love, sincere interest, contagious laugh, encouraging words, warm hospitality and generous spirit are some of the things that made her so precious to us!  We rejoice that she can meet her great reward in heaven, but she will be dearly missed here on this earth!  
Our hearts and prayers are with each of you her family!!
Brian and Cherise Blume and family

We admired Karen for her strength of character and strong faith.  Her love, compassion, and friendly confidential nature,  made her a dear friend.  We will continue to be inspired by things she said while she was alive.  Precious memories!  Our deepest sympathy to her family. She loved and treasured each of you.  Karen was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend! Her absence leaves a huge hole.  How will we serve church lunch without her expertise?  
One last thought...A mother’s  prayer is that her children will love each other long after she’s gone.  Praying that you can be there for each other; and you feel God’s endless love.  He will take care of you!  

We will miss our dear friend so much!  We shared so many special times and memories together - we are better people because of her.  She was family to us and her smile and kindness will be remembered in the days and years ahead.  She loved and cared deeply and showed generosity to all around her.  All of you children and grandchildren were so loved and special to her.  She loved sharing her latest photos and wonderful family times together.  May God fill your void with precious memories and comfort.  With so much love,   Dana and Beth

Your mom and grandmother was a special friend who enriched my life in so many ways. Her graciousness, ability to connect others, enjoyment of new experiences...especially of the creative nature were a gift to so many. Her kind listening and support helped many see through challenges. Her love of God enhanced her ability to share her love in so many generous ways. She will be missed but remembered!

Our hearts hurt.  Karen was family.  The Kaisner’s and Martin’s spent many times together between their house, our house and their lake house.  Karen was always the sweetest, kindest person ever and such a great friend to my mom (and me).  My mom and Karen would chat for an hour plus (maybe a few times only 45 minutes!) EVERY morning as us kids were heading off to school. More recently, Karen hung out with my parents during Mike and I’s rehearsal dinner which put our hearts more at ease that our dear family friend Karen was with them. There is so much more we could mention about the beautiful, loving friend she was. What a God-send she was to all of us! We did not have near enough time with you, Karen and the void is huge! We can’t wait to see you again!

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
(Song lyrics by Chris Tomlin)

Love,
Mike and Diane Murphy (Kaisner)

Karen you were a special neighbor, I enjoyed helping you when  ever you needed it. May God bless your soul and keep you close to him, rest in peace. Jim

Dear Terri, Ken, Julie, and families,
My heart is broken over your tremendous loss.  Your mom was a very precious person to me - always filled with love and encouragement.  A very special, lovable soul!

She will be greatly missed by all of you especially, but her church family, and all the rest of us that were so privileged to have known her.  Gone way too soon - but we know that God has His reasons and He will continue to provide for all of you.

When a mom (or parent) passes, it changes your world.  I encourage you to stay close to each other, cry together, laugh together, make memories together - this is what she’d want for you.  You were her pride, joy, and her world!  
Until you see each other again, I pray that you’ll always feel God’s loving arms wrapped tightly around you.

I’ll continue to pray for you in this very difficult time and onward.  Your grief will not end when the funeral is over.  There is no timeline for grief,  let the tears flow.  You will always miss her but the pain will lessen in time.  Just imagine her life now!!  What an inspiration for you to go on - we can’t begin to comprehend the joy of seeing her again in those glories of Heaven.
Love you all so much!

My heart is saddened with the loss of this sweet ‘mother’. Karen was cheerful and welcoming when I had the chance as a teen to travel to Michigan for many a young group visits  I shared many times and memories with Terri over the years and I began to think of her more as one of my ‘moms’ (she was so much like my own mom.)  in later years we enjoyed time together at the lake house and short visits when she was with her family in central Illinois.  She was loved deeply by her family and didn’t know a stranger!!  She was a terrific mom and grandma for which I am blessed with the sweet friendship with Terri and Sheryl. I will look forward to seeing her on that ‘other shore’!  My love to the family as you bid farewell.  Cindi (and Phil) Witzig

My memories of Karen go way back to Tremont IL. Our Schaefer and Steiner families had much in common. Children and parents spent much time together.  I later gained a sister-in-law who was a good friend to Karen in her FL years. And then through God's work, Karen and I both ended here in this church. It was so special to have that 'old' bond between us. She was so kind, so hospitable, so gentle. My last conversation with her was just a few weeks ago. She just heard about my broken arm and called to share her love and see how I was doing .  Such a nice chat - and of course God knew it would be our last one.  Our love and sympathy go out to all who knew her and loved her. She will be greatly missed. 

So many wonderful memories of our loving friendship over the past 50 years. I feel so blessed to have shared endless times,  meals and trips everywhere with you. We shared lots and lots of laughter and sad times as well when trials came our way.  Your kindness to all was an inspiration to all who knew you. You will be missed every day and I’m thankful our 
Lord has his arms wrapped around you and your pain is gone forever. 

Karen was funny, bright, with great taste, and a true and selfless love for others - beautiful inside and out. What a loss for our church family, but a gain for heaven. Love and prayers for the kids and Karen’s extended family, may God comfort you in your grief.

Continued page 2

I admired you and I know you would not want to be admired but that was part of what endeared you to so many people, Karen.  How many times at Church did you tell me, laughing, “oh Krista, we are just two old “sentimental souls”?  Your transparency and honesty helped me, as well as your compassion.

I wish I could have said goodbye.  I'm so glad we told each other we loved each other at church but it’s just not the same , I guess.  You have no idea how you were loved by everyone.  You truly loved people back, also.   You were a very young looking princess ( I thought you were in your 60’s) who never spoke bad about anyone. 
What is it like up there, Karen?  Was Darlene surprised to see you?  Will you tell her I love her?  I never got to say goodbye to her either.  

Although  you leave so many broken hearts, your heart will never be broken again.  I bet you are singing this very moment with the angels.  You are a true princess, a child of the King.  I miss you already.  Thank you for doing so much for so many.  

We love you and are praying for your dear family.

Andy, Krista and Ashlyn Wieland


There are really no words to adequately describe how much we are missing our dear friend Karen.  Our friendship goes back many years to the time your family first came to Michigan.  The special trips we took, the many meals we shared, the times we used to play tennis together - we are thankful for every precious minute. Her faith in God and her joy in serving her Church were an inspiration to us.  Her hospitality and generosity will long be remembered.  She loved her beautiful flower garden and it was always fun going on  garden walks together.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  She is singing with the Angels now but her voice wll always be in our hearts.  Love and prayers to all the family.  

Precious  Karen,
it's with a broken heart I too will add my memories.  You were an inspiration to many.  These are some ways you made a difference in my family’s life.  
Remember how we were both horrible at directions and couldn't stop laughing when we got lost or forgot where an entry door was?  How many times did you help me decorate the extra touches in my home?  Remember that ball of flowers that I always thought I should get rid of and you said "No, I think I still like that."  Those flowers will remain in my home,  I can assure you.  Remember the time when you came over and immediately took a beautiful (or so I thought) flower arrangement off my end table and said "It's time for a change here.  These have been here long enough."  I sadly handed them over because, you see, I trusted you. 
How many times did you drive me places when I could not?  How many times did you sit by me in church and held my hand and it was okay to cry because you did too?  Oh, how your infectious laugh healed a hurt and your voice was like heaven itself.  
Remember the time you told me (when I was in my years of being unable to drive) "Krista, we are going to go shopping and I am going to buy you something."  You bought me a church outfit after we argued that you shouldn't spend so much on me.  You said "Nonsense!!  You only live once!" 
Remember when you surprised Ashlyn out of the blue with a canopy to go over her bed to complete her princess room?  Her excitement was never seen by you but she used it until she kept getting tangled up in it.  She truly felt like a princess.  But that's how you made people feel, Karen.  Important.  Special.  It didn't matter who they were. 
Your family was everything to you. How often did you speak of your grandkids?  You loved them so much and always put them first.  



Four specific memories come to mind that represent a lifetime of Karen sowing love into my life.  

1. When I was around 12, she kept my siblings and I for several days while my parents attended an out-of-state funeral.  We loved her baby carrots (which were new to us who were used to peeling our own), and she delighted in buying more because we gobbled them down so fast!  

2. Around that same time, my mom was talking on the phone with Karen while I was practicing piano.  Karen asked who was playing and passed along a heartfelt compliment on what she heard.  That single moment helped frame the way I view myself as a musician to this day.  It goes to show how powerful words can be.

3. In 2013, Karen told me she wanted to host a fundraiser for Ashes to Glory and that she wanted to invite Covenant Chamber Choir to be a part of it.  Her vision led to a special evening for our church, the choir, and my family.  

4. More recently, Karen took great interest in my political career.  More than she realized, her frequent questions and encouragement were a welcome source of accountability for me.

Praise God for His love as reflected in Karen and the Resurrection that foreshadows our heavenly reunion with her!  In the meantime, we will miss her greatly.

Sending sincere condolences to all of Karen’s family and friends. My husband and I only knew Karen for a very short time as next door neighbors. We had moved here only three summers ago. Karen warmly welcomed us to our new home as her next door neighbors. We will miss her smile and her enthusiasm for keeping her flowers so beautiful around her place. Jim and Carol Ladley

My dear friend,
I was having coffee on the deck this morning while looking at your flower garden, it’s so beautiful just like you. Your kindness, Faith and generosity defined you. I remember sitting next to you in Church when you started singing I turned and looked at you, you sung like an angel and now you are one, I hope your singing your heart out! 
RIP my friend, I miss you and will see you again someday.

Love,
Bill and Lynne 

Dear Martin family,
We will miss Karen.  She was a dear friend and inspiration!
Terry & Laurie Steffen

My husband and I were so saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. We were next door neighbors for 16 years before our move a couple years ago. We shared a love of gardening and our Lord Jesus and spent many hours visiting in our yards or over coffee.

Karen was such a lovely, kind friend and loved by all who knew her. Our prayers are extended to her family knowing how much she will be missed. Praying that you will be comforted knowing all who trust in Jesus will be reunited! 

I have precious memories of being welcomed into the Martin home on weekends I spent in Detroit with Terri.  Karen always greeted me with a smile and made me feel at home.  Her heart for others will be missed by all.  

Our sweet Karen, I will miss the many gifts your presence gave. Your smile, hosting, generosity, your genuine and honest openness. Your faith, love of family, church and friends. Thank you for always sharing the best you had to offer. The loss is so large. The memory books of times with you are extra large.  May the dear Lord be close to your entire family...and to all of us who loved you♡

OBITUARY

Karen I. Martin

August 17, 1942 – July 6, 2020

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Funeral In State

Funeral Service