Mrs. Karen Joy Fethke 's Obituary
Mrs. Karen Fethke, age 82, passed away March 31, 2019. Karen was born December 20, 1936 in Muskegon to Albert and Gladys (Herrick) Rasmussen. Karen met her beloved husband of 59 years, Eugene (Gene) Fethke, playing ping pong in 1954 while a senior at Muskegon High School. She received her teaching degree from Michigan State University, and was a lifelong educator, teaching elementary, preschool and adult education throughout her career. She was a member of Community United Methodist church for over 40 years, serving as education and MAP volunteer coordinator. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gama, Muskegon County Garden Club, Friends of Hackley Public Library, Ulysses Group and the Torch Club. A devoted supporter of the arts, she and Gene were long time season ticket holders with the Civic Theatre and West Michigan Symphony. Karen was a watercolor artist and following her retirement from teaching, opened her own gallery, Wishes and Watercolors, in North Muskegon. Her paintings of the Lake Michigan shore are especially beloved. Karen loved watching and playing sports. She was a devout fan of the Detroit Tigers and MSU Spartans, and an avid tennis player. She enjoyed playing cards, scrabble, camping, hiking, travel, fishing, and ice fishing. Karen was above all a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her husband Gene; daughters, Peggy (Daniel) Hartmann of N. Muskegon, Nancy (Hampton) Parrish of Clayton, NC, and Alison Fethke of Chicago, IL; 3 grandchildren, Kaela Hartmann, Megan Parrish, and Noah Parrish; 2 brothers, Charles Rasmussen of Grand Rapids and Thomas Rasmussen of Noblesville, IN, and many dear friends and relatives. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at Community United Methodist Church, 1614 Ruddiman Drive, on Thursday, April 4 at 10:30 AM with Pastor Jeremy Williams officiating. VISITATION will be on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 6-8 pm at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100. In lieu of flowers, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to Hackley Public Library, Community United Methodist Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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