Karen Yoder, 51

Karen A. Yoder, age 51, of Sturgis, passed away early Wednesday evening, Sept. 5, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. 

She was born May 14, 1961, in Sturgis, a daughter of Robert Thayne and Martha (Leach) Stevenson. 

Karen was a longtime resident of Sturgis and a graduate of Baldwin High School with the class of 1979. She always enjoyed learning and had taken many classes at Glen Oak Community College in Centreville. 

For 30 years she was a dedicated employee of Americraft Carton in Sturgis, where she was a skilled die cutter.

She attended the Sturgis Missionary Church and enjoyed crafts, reading and shopping. 

Karen is survived by her son, Timothy Scott Yoder of Sturgis; a grandson, Eban Dustin Martin Yoder of Sturgis; her mother, Martha Stevenson of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sisters, Lori Beth Hall and Mary Lisa Stonewall, both of St. Petersburg; two brothers, Harold Scott (Marla) Stevenson of Branson, Fla., and Robert Thayne (Leslie) Stevenson II of Kittell, N.C.; grandmother Margariete Alice Leith of Grandville; many special friends at Americraft; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. 

She was preceded in death by her father.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Karen A. Yoder will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Sturgis Missionary Church, 67087 N. M-66 in Sturgis. Pastor Bob Renner will officiate. 

Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements. 

Memorial donations in Karen’s memory would be appreciated to the charity of one’s choice. 

Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.