Karen Ann Kiser

Of Okemos, Michigan passed away suddenly, but peacefully in her home on Monday, January 27, 2025. Karen was born August 4, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Carl and Hazel (Turbush) Kiser, welcomed by her beloved older brother, Edgar. She approached life with a contagious sense of joy, a profound appreciation for adventure and a limitless love for her family, both blood and chosen.

Karen had a brilliant sense of humor and razor-sharp wit. She was outstandingly forthright. She was an incredibly strong person and an undeniable force, who was respected and loved by many. Karen believed strongly in the liberation and independence of women. Filled with compassion, she performed random acts of kindness, and she was a prolific gift-giver. She was a courageous protector, defender and loyal friend to those in need and everyone she loved.

She had an unquenchable curiosity and passion for learning and teaching. After matriculating at University of Michigan, Karen completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Eastern Michigan University in a total of three years of study. She continued taking college courses at Michigan State University in her areas of interest, which were numerous, throughout her life. Promoting her dedication to learning, Karen established The Hazel and Karen Kiser Scholarship Fund for Returning Adult Students at Michigan State University which provides resources that ease the financial burden of returning to college for its countless recipients with dependent children, bettering the lives of many women since its inception.

Karen had an extreme love of adventure. She traveled extensively, visiting over 50 countries and five continents and would often regale people with stories from her travels. She held Haile Selassie’s lion cub in Ethiopia, visited the Great wall of China, stood above Machu Pichu, explored the Amazon and heard her boat hitting crocodiles on the Nile. She visited private rooms in the Vatican and took in the sights all over Europe. Karen immensely enjoyed spending summers at her cottage in Northport and visiting Jamaica every year with her family. Throughout her travels and her life, she never lost her sense of wonder.

Karen loved spending time with her friends, whom she adoringly called “The Ladies” and was a cherished confidante to many.

Karen loved animals. She had wonderful memories of feeding lambs on her family’s farm when she was a little girl. Karen loved and spoiled each of the many dogs that were blessed to be in her care.

Karen was a deeply spiritual person. She loved to go to church. She regularly read the Bible and drew on its wisdom and guidance in her daily life. She also participated in numerous Bible study groups, combining her spirituality and passion for learning.

Most importantly, Karen loved her family. She was an endlessly devoted mother to her four children, whom she shared and raised during her 40-year marriage to Paul Jakubiak, M.D.. She instilled in her children and grandchildren that family bonds are the strength in the core within them. Karen was the undisputed matriarch, leader and queen of her household and family. The love she chose to shower on those in her orbit can only be described as fierce; she loved unapologetically, unconditionally and unwaveringly.

Always active in her community, Karen was President of the Ingham County Medical Auxiliary, President of St Anthony’s Guild at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, a member of Junior League, and the Kappa Delta Alumna Group. She enjoyed years of season tickets at MSU hockey, football and especially basketball games. She was a docent at Kresge Art Museum, a volunteer usher at the Wharton Center, an active participant in the Blue Stocking Book Club, as well as the Hello Book Club #2, all the while sharing her deep veneration of the arts with others of all ages.

Preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Hazel Kiser, and numerous beloved aunts, uncles and cousins; Karen is survived by her loving brother Edgar (Shirley) Kiser, her four devoted children Linsey (Dan) Gazdik, Elizabeth Jakubiak, Paul Christian Jakubiak, and Susan Marissa Jakubiak; her four cherished grandchildren, Savanna, Caroline, Gabriel, and Lucas; and her treasured nieces, Stephanie and Megan and numerous cousins, whom she loved dearly.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at noon at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing, with Father Riley O’Shea presiding. The family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church and a reception will follow the services at the church. A private family internment will be held in Troy, Michigan. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Estes-Leadley.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Karen’s memory be made to The Hazel and Karen Kiser Endowed Scholarship Fund for Returning Adult Students , or Cure CMD in support of Collagen 6 (Ullrich-Bethlem) research for those who share her grandson’s condition.

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2 Messages to “Karen Ann Kiser

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Fannietra Donald
February 5, 2025 at 8:51 pm

To Paul and the entire family of Karen A Kiser, I am thinking of you and holding your family in love and light during this difficult time.

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Robin Rowe
February 6, 2025 at 11:17 am

The news of Karen’s passing is heartbreaking for all of us that knew her for many years at Head To Toe Salon.
Karen was a client of hair stylist Sally Williams for around 50years. Sally loved hearing about all the adventures and family events throughout the years and has greatly missed her since retiring 7 years ago. Karen continued coming in and sat in Betsy’s chair when she was in town and would get her nails done occasionally with Sally’s daughter Robin. We will always remember her beautiful smiling face and great conversations. With Love all of us at HTT

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