Karen Anne Guth, 80, of Elk Rapids and Traverse City, passed away peacefully from Alzheimer's disease on September 20 with her loving family at her side.
Karen was born on January 17, 1944 in Grand Rapids to the late Robert J. and Eleanor (Voss) Skory. She was the eldest of 8 children, seven girls and one boy. Karen learned to help care for her siblings from a young age, and she was very close to her family. Many in the family attribute her stunning effectiveness as a parent and teacher to this early experience.
Karen graduated from St. Francis High School in the class of 1962. She went on to pursue higher education, earning multiple master's degrees in special education and school administration. Karen spent many years of her career as a teacher and teacher consultant at TBAISD (now North Ed), where she first specialized in teaching students with cognitive and emotional impairments, and later focused her expertise on autism. Karen was exceptionally talented at providing the support her students and their families needed. Her knowledge, leadership, optimism, and fundamental goodness touched many lives. Karen's life was a testament to her incredible passion, compassion and dedication to others. She will be remembered for her warm heart and gentle spirit.
It was at TBAISD that Karen met David Guth, the luckiest day of his life. Their first date was at Sleder's, and after several years of dating they married on May 26, 1984. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful life, filled with love, respect, and a deep appreciation of each other.
Karen is survived by her husband David; her children John Niedermaier, Tracy Endres, and Matthew (Tonya) Niedermaier; her grandchildren Evan Endres, Logan (Alex) Stockwell, Kasey (Ion) Popescu, and Zachary Niedermaier; her great granddaughter Aurora; her siblings Mary, Judy, Doug, Sally, Meg, Jean, and Jennie; and many other loving family members and friends.
A memorial service to honor Karen's life will be held at 11am on October 8 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a visitation beginning at 10am. Following the memorial service, a private burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Karen's memory to the North Ed Foundation, 880 Parsons Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 (see www.northwested.org/foundation/funds/ )
Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .