Karlene M. Bach

Age 89, passed away on February 28, 2021, in Lansing. She was born on December 1, 1931, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Charles and Margaret (Aitken) Griesbach. She was married to Richard Astalos in 1952 and they later divorced. Karlene earned her Master’s degree in music education from MSU. She loved musical theater and directed many musicals at her schools in Mason, where she taught music for 28 years. She also was involved in many community theater productions. One of her greatest joys in life was playing piano. She was a very accomplished pianist, and she sang in the choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in Lansing. Karlene was also a member of the Lansing Matinee Musicale, and the MSU Choral Union. Among her many hobbies were travel, reading, crosswords, knitting, embroidery, and tea time.  For many years she loved gathering her family at a cottage on Lake Huron. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends and former students

Karlene is survived by her brother, Carl Griesbach; sister, Shonnie Bach; children, Teresa (Eric) Stemle, Julia (Arthur) Erickson, and Brad (Denice Smith) Astalos; grandchildren, Valerie (Jesse) Parbon, Elissa (Mark) Anderson, Jenna Erickson, Paul (Amanda Cangelosi) Stemle, and Ellen (Dustin) Hensel; eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Frieda Connelly, and Sally Gravilla; and her grandson, Arthur Ericson II.

Karlene’s family will be welcoming guests on Thursday, March 4th, from 2-4 pm, and 6-8 pm, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.  A service will be held on Friday, March 5, at 12:00 pm, at The Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. We ask that everyone please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Contributions can be made out to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, or the Capital Area Humane Society.

To view the a live stream of the service, please click HERE

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12 Messages to “Karlene M. Bach

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Patricia and Tony Smith
March 1, 2021 at 9:15 pm

Karlene is remembered as a wonderful example of a “good and faithful servant”. She was always ready to help whenever and wherever needed. She was loved and will be missed.

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Ken Richmond (former student)
March 2, 2021 at 10:16 am

Even though sometimes she had a unique way about herself she was an excellent person. When I got older and learned that she was part of her son’s band and then I ended up going out every so often and partying with her, I found a totally different side to her. She truly was musically gifted, she truly was concerned about her students, and as I found out she truly knew how to have fun. We have lost a great one. My prayers go out to her family.

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James and Susan Shepard
March 3, 2021 at 9:37 pm

My prayers go out to her family.

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Cheré LaRose
March 4, 2021 at 9:57 am

Ms. Bach was my teacher and guide through middle school and high school. She was funny, so very talented, and cared so much about our musical talents. She trained and coached with a firm and caring spirit and we tested her right back every day. She was there for all my life moments, high school and university graduation, and my wedding. We considered her family and our hearts are so sad for her family’s loss. Know how much we love her.

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Amanda Cangelosi
March 4, 2021 at 12:09 pm

Dear Grandma Bach,

I have heard the most wonderful stories about you, and I admire your strength and wisdom. I know that some of the most beautiful qualities that I see in Teresa and Paul are pieces of you. I love hearing Paul’s stories of you watching the sunrise on Lake Huron and your water spirit. Thank you in advance for helping Paul figure out the extra-challenging crossword puzzle solutions from here on out, as you watch over him from above. I’m grateful that I was able to meet you via Zoom, and I absolutely adore you and your family.

Much Love,
Amanda

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Sheryl L. DeKett
March 4, 2021 at 1:03 pm

I am saddened by the news of Karlene’s passing, although I referred to her as “Mrs. Astolos”. I had the privilege of spending time at her home with her family through junior high and high school and beyond as her daughter, Julia, was my best friend. I remember how proud she was to have had avocado-green shag carpet installed in her living room and proudly demonstrating care of it by using a carpet rake. I also attended musicals that were performed by her students and I was always impressed by the talent that she inspired.

My prayers go out to the family.

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Sharon Garner
March 4, 2021 at 11:11 pm

I was Karlene’s music colleague for the first 10 years of my career. However, she was more than a colleague. She was a mentor, friend.
I learned so much from her during those early years of my career. I have so many fond memories of our collaborations on the MHS musicals. I had a chance to visit with her at her assisted living facility about a year and a half ago – pre-covid. So grateful for that opportunity!!

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Barbara J Bellinger
March 5, 2021 at 11:35 am

Rest in Heaven Karlene. I can hear you singing with the Angels.

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Ross & Chelsea Dahlberg (Great Nephew)
March 5, 2021 at 11:47 am

Such a beautiful soul; loving, generous and a great sense of humor. Always ready for fun. We have beautiful memories time at the cabin, spending holidays together, family euchre tournaments and watching our favorite hallmark show together(Chelsea & Karlene). We will truly miss you Aunt Karlene and can’t wait to meet again one day in heaven!

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Marilyn Maloney
March 5, 2021 at 12:56 pm

Karlene was a St. Paul’s treasure and she will be greatly missed. May she Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory.

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Carl Griesbach
March 5, 2021 at 1:01 pm

Karlene was a wonderful sister. She never forgot a birthday or Christmas and she wrote me a beautiful message last Christmas. She seemed to enjoy the pictures I sent her at Christmas, little pictures of what I had been up to throughout the year. When we were together, just the two of us, she liked to take me to lunch at the MSU faculty club and in the evenings we would hang out at one of Lansing’s local Jazz clubs. She always had fun stories and really knew how to tell them. We would talk at length about life, religion, politics, science and many other subjects and even though our perspectives would sometimes be quite different, that never seemed to matter. She will be sincerely missed.

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Joyce Buchanan
March 15, 2021 at 11:02 pm

Karen, Mrs. Astalos to me, was my Junior High music teacher. I learned a lot from her about listening to music. And hearing what the composer was trying to tell us with his composition. She may be one of the reasons why I studied piano for almost 30 years, and got high marks in musicality. For being able to read, feel and express the music is not as easy as you think it is. I way more from than I realized at the time and will always be grateful. She will be missed.

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