Karen Barnes

As family and friends can surely attest, Karen Barnes truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she was well known for her sharp sense of humor and her eternal optimism. Nothing brought Karen greater joy than surrounding herself with her loved ones. Her legacy was one of kindness and devotion to serving others, and she possessed an insatiable zest for life that could be felt by all around her. Forever loved, Karen will be deeply missed by those who knew her best.

The early 1950s were among some of the most influential years for the United States. Following the end of WWII, the baby boom was underway and the economy was flourishing. Our nation also became a country of 50 states with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii. It was during this exciting time that Clarence and Minnie (Zylema) DeLeeuw of Grand Rapids, Michigan, welcomed their daughter, Karen Jean, into their family. Karen was born on October 30, 1951, and she was soon adopted by Clarence and Minnie.

Growing up, Karen was a typical girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home alongside her younger sister, Phyllis. Karen’s father supported the family by working as a postman while her mother remained close to home, caring for her children. Throughout her childhood, Karen was surrounded by her family and spent a lot of time with the Zylema side of the family. They enjoyed a memorable four-week trip out West in 1962, stopping at the Seattle World’s Fair and at Mount Rushmore. It was only after the family had taken a picture that they noticed Clarence had been wearing mismatched socks, a mistake that would become a running joke in the family for years to come. From a young age, Karen loved ice skating and swimming at Garfield Park. She attended local schools, including Sylvan Christian School. Karen graduated from East Christian High School in 1969, then went on to attend Grand Rapids Community College. She had a mind for chemistry and scored especially well.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Karen as she met the young man who would soon become the love of her life. His name was Donald Barnes, and the two first met through mutual friends. There was an instant connection between them, and over the next six years of dating, their relationship continued to grow and blossom into something truly special. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Karen and Don were married on January 4, 1977. The newlyweds then settled down in Byron Center, Michigan.

All who knew Karen can certainly agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. She and Don were overjoyed to welcome their son, Nathan, into their hearts and home in 1983. Karen thrived in her role as a mother and always went above and beyond to care for Nathan as she raised him. She strove to be present and active in his life. Later on, Karen was thrilled to become a grandmother to Olivia. She adored her granddaughter and doted on her whenever she could, and Karen was also an aunt to several nieces and nephews. She always considered herself blessed to watch her family tree grow to include so many loved ones.

Karen was never afraid to work hard when it came to providing for herself and those who depended on her. She spent many years building a career for herself at Michigan Bell. Karen’s husband, Don, also worked for the city as an electrician. After retiring from AT&T, Karen made the life-changing decision to move to North Carolina in order to be closer to her granddaughter, Olivia. In her retirement, Karen was able to enjoy traveling and spending time with family.

Never one to sit still for long, Karen pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She liked gardening, camping, and cross-stitching, and she enjoyed playing piano every once in a while. Lake Michigan was one of Karen’s favorite places to find peace and fun times. She was an avid reader, especially of fiction. Karen and her family were devoted members of St. John Vianney Catholic Church. She was an excellent baker, it was her thing. Nathan fondly remembers her German chocolate cake. And while she didn't enjoy cooking, she made a mean pot roast, casseroles and lasagna. Karen was involved in the Garden Club, and she took great pride in caring for her backyard and making it a beautiful, tranquil space. She was very organized and neat. Over the years, Karen traveled to locations across the country including Arizona, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Mall of America, and Texas. Each year, she would rent a cottage on Horsehead Lake, which was the backdrop for countless memories.

When reflecting on the life of Karen Barnes, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of generosity and service, and she faced challenges head-on with a spirit of determination. A dedicated wife to Don, mother to Nathan, and grandmother to Olivia, Karen was a friend to many and beloved by all. Her primary focus in life was forming deep and personal relationships with those around her. Though she will be dearly missed, Karen leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Karen Jean Barnes, 72, formerly of Grand Rapids, passed away on July 30, 2024. Karen was born on October 30, 1951 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was adopted by Clarence and Minnie DeLeeuw. Karen graduated from East Christian High School in 1969. In 1977, Karen married Donald Barnes. They were married for 31 years until Donald passed away in 2008. They had a son, Nathan, in 1983. Karen's dedication to her family was unwavering. After retiring from AT&T, Karen made a life-changing decision. She retired and moved to North Carolina, a testament to her unwavering commitment to family, to spend more time with her granddaughter Olivia. Karen was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Minnie, and her husband, Donald. She is survived by her sister Phyllis (Jack) Taylor, her son Nathan, her granddaughter Olivia, her brother-in-law Gary (Mary Sue) Barnes, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 AM on August 31, 2024 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE. The service will be followed by a time to share food, drink and stories. Contributions in her memory may be made to ALS Association. Celebrate Karen’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at heritagelifestory.com