Sara Marie Karns

Traverse City - Sara Marie Karns, 27, of Traverse City, passed away Monday, February 1, 2016 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Sara was surrounded by the presence and love of her family.

Sara was born on Tuesday, August 9, 1988 in Traverse City, one of two daughters born to Ty and Michelle (Osborn) Karns. Sara attended Traverse City schools, graduating from West High School

A beautiful person, inside and out, Sara was a strong willed, free spirit. You didn't just meet Sara - you experienced Sara. She was always there to help the underdog, and to help her friends and family. When Sara saw someone being taken advantage of, or someone who just needed help, Sara would step in to fight the wrongs for that person. She loved to give of herself and was a peace maker. Sara was a champion of all animals, until it came to fishing and no fish was safe. Sara loved hiking, camping and especially loved the lakeshore. She was strong in her faith and loved the Lord with her whole heart. Sara attended Bay Pointe Community Church and was currently a barista at Leelanau Coffee Roasters in Glen Arbor.

Sara is survived by her Mom and Dad, Ty and Michelle; her sister, Jennifer; her nephews and niece, Nikolas, Alyssa and Keyan Kouchnerkavich. Also surviving are her grandparents, Dorothy Osborn of Traverse City, Sandra Campbell-Meyer of Traverse City, John Ryder of Maple City; her aunts and uncles, Pam Osborn and Melodie Linebaugh of Buckley, Ric and Jackie Osborn of Surprise, AZ, Sherri and David Amidon of Buckley, Rick and Penny Dean of San Jose, CA, Cindy Wood of Montrose and Candy Karns of Kansas City, MO; cousins, Curtis Green (fiancée Terra Arnold), Heather Green (fiance David Martin), Robert Osborn (Rhiann Teal), Ryan (Summer) Osborn, Nathan and Courtney Campbell, Nicholas Wood, Tara and Tyler Dean. Sara was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Osborn, Uncles Dennis Eppler, Gary Campbell and Great-grandmother Eileen Eppler.

The family would request that anyone attending Sara's visitation or service would wear something purple - Sara's favorite color.
Visitation for Sara will take place from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation will also take place from 10 to 11 AM Saturday, Feb. 6 at Bay Pointe Community Church, 6880 Secor Rd., Traverse City with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, also at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to https://www.gofundme.com/rememberingsara .

Please share your favorite memories of Sara with her family by posting to her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.