Karen passed away peacefully Tuesday July 19, 2016 at her Schoolcraft, Ml home of sixty years with family surrounding her after a fierce battle with cancer. She was born on March 18, 1952 in Vicksburg, Ml to the late Frank and Ellen Hoyt (Wiley). She attended Schoolcraft Schools until her senior year of high school at which time she transferred to Vicksburg Schools in order to be able to participate in girls' athletics. She was competitive in basketball, track, and fast pitch softball. She graduated from Vicksburg High School and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Karen married William Howard Northrop on July 7, 1972 and started their family together living in Battle Creek, Ml before returning to Schoolcraft. Karen brought an immense amount of joy and energy to the world with her completely unique style.
She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She took pride in her role as a Certified Medical Assistant for more than 25 years at ProMed Family Practice and Borgess at Woodbridge. She had an adventurous side that took her to her favorite place...the outdoors! Karen enjoyed sports, camping, whitewater rafting, bird watching, hunting, fishing, and above all spending time with her grandkids. She will be greatly missed by her husband, William Northrop, and their two children Shannon (Greg) Bruner and Robert (Kimberly) Northrop; her grandchildren Cassidy, Camden, and Ryley Bruner and William Northrop; her sister Patricia Hoyt and brother Owen Hoyt. As well as her brother and sisters in law, nieces and nephews, and many cousins. The family will greet friends on Sunday July 24,2016 from 5-7pm at the Avink Funeral Home in Schoolcraft, Ml. The funeral service will be held Monday July 25, 2016 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church in Schoolcraft, Ml and will be followed by a memorial reception at Westminster Hall. ln lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Karen's honor be made to the Schoolcraft Schools Athletic Boosters or the Michigan Audubon Society. Please take a moment to hug your child, grandchild, loved one, friend or take a walk in the woods for a moment, an hour, or a day. Time waits for no one...
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