OBITUARY: KAREN LYNN BAILEY
Published: Friday, May 7, 2010 12:13 AM EDT
Karen Lynn Bailey
BIG RAPIDS — Karen Lynn Bailey, 58, of Big Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at home in the loving arms of her family after a long battle with cancer.
She was born on May 30, 1951, in Detroit, the daughter of Thad and Verna (Putikka) Pearl, and graduated from Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn in 1969. Karen then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in 1973.
On June 22, 1974, Karen married Bruce W. Bailey, and the couple moved to Big Rapids later that year, and lived here since. From 1974 to 1980, Karen taught fifth grade in Reed City. She was the fifth and sixth grade teacher at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Big Rapids since 1995.
Karen is survived by her husband, Bruce; son, Matthew (Valerie) Bailey and daughters, Sarah Bailey and Anna (Jon) Ferrell, all of Grand Rapids; sisters, Debra (Don) Taulbee of Bad Axe and Donna (Tom) Olinzock of Taylor; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Big Rapids with the Rev. John Bookshaw of St. Peter’s and Greg Mutch of Mars Hill officiating. Burial will be in the Yuma Cemetery in Wexford County. Karen’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Friday) and 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and at the church prior to services on Sunday. Memorial contributions in her name may be made for St. Peter’s Lutheran School or Mars Hill Bible Church for Water Projects, with envelopes available at the funeral home. Share a memory or express condolences at www.mohnkefuneralhome.com.