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Karen Lee (Weber) Smith passed away at home on August 14, 2014 after a courageous battle against cancer.
She was born March 25, 1945 in Chickasha, OK, daughter of Eugene and Doris (Martin) Weber. They moved to Bay City when she was 2 years old.
She graduated in 1963 from T.L. Handy H.S. and married her classmate, James N. Smith on September 12, 1975. When her children were growing up she spent endless hours volunteering in the Bangor Twp. Schools, PTA, Bangor Band parents, Scouts, Audubon Club and Bay Medical Pediatrics Unit. She loved attending all of her children’s and grandchildren’s school and sports activities and was their greatest fan.
She worked in the Bangor Twp. Elementary Schools teaching nutrition through the MSU Expanded Nutrition Program and was also a Chapter Three Aide at Bangor Central tutoring students in math and reading. She was the site manager of the Bangor Sr. Citizens Center for 7 years and the Owner/Operator of Sunshine Sr. Tours from 1987-2014 and was blessed to have traveled all over the world. She dearly loved her travelers and considered them her extended family and a part of her heart.
She is survived by her loving husband, James; her beloved children, Shari (Paul) Mehlhose, Bay City, and their children, Daniel, Gregory (Annelysse) and Renae; Mark Banaszak, Wheeling, IL, and his children Nicole, Michael and Gina; Lisa (Patrick) Steffen, Essexville, and their daughters Emily and Megan; step-son Jeffrey (Wendy) Slancik, Pinconning and their son Zachary; great grandchildren Caleb Mehlhose and Gia Banaszak; her mother Doris Whitener, Chickasha, OK, brother Robert (Jan) Weber, Arizona; sister-in-law, Lois (James) Anderson, Midland; her beloved friends and sister of the heart Libby (Bob) Stringer; and very dear friends Virginia Mason and Don and Evelyn Spychalski.
She was preceded in death by her father, sister Pamela (Weber) Keith, and infant daughter Amy Elizabeth Banaszak.
FUNERAL- Services will be Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 2 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 206 Scheurmann St., Essexville. Patrick M. Steffen will officiate. Private committal service will follow.
VISITATION-Friends are welcome to visit with the family at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 608 N. Madison Ave., Bay City on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. as well as on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.
MEMORIALS-In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Royal Family KIDS Camp #295 or Mid-Michigan Home Care.
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Carol Wing (Goff)
I was so sorry to learn of Karen's passing. She was always so friendly, with such a positive outlook on life. Thank you Karen for all your kindness and hard work that made everything you touched that much better. You will be missed by so many.
Sincerely,
Carol
JoAnne Bennett (Smith)
I cannot find the words to say how sorry I was to receive Janet's sad E-mail about Karen's passing. She was such a lovely person with a smile that could light up any room she entered. It will be so hard to imagine another class reunion without her presence. My heart goes out to her dear family at this time of sadness and adjustment. I know Karen is now in a better place and free of pain. She truly gave of herself her entire adult life and continued to do so during her battle with this beast known as cancer. Heaven now has a wonderful new angel and I am sure she is up there getting things organized as only Karen could do!
Sincerely,
JoAnne
Doris Berry (Witzgall)
My sympathy and prayers for Karen's family. Due to a foot injury, I was unable to attend her funeral. Karen will always be remembered as a very sweet and caring friend. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
Baiba Blakis (Kahn)
Karen was such an wonderful person. She will be truly missed by all whose lives she enriched.
Mary Ellen Long (Toeppner)
Miss you, Karen. You were a fighter but now you feel perfectly well! Conducting tours down the Jordan River? Your children and grandchildren are wonderful. II'm so glad we had lunch at together before you left for your real home. Love you, Mary Ellen Toeppner