Karlene Ann Werner

Karlene Ann Werner (Todd) passed away on January 2, 2025 after a long battle with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.  Karlene was born on August 12, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan.  She was adopted by her loving parents, Charles and Margaret Todd.  She had one sister, Charlene, who predeceased her.  Karlene and Charlene had a wonderful childhood enjoying many fun times with the youth choir and youth group at Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church.

After graduating from Denby High School, Karlene continued on to Western Michigan University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Business. At Western, she also met Jeff, they were married on June 13, 1970.  They spent 37 years lovingly devoted to one another until his death on January 9, 2008.   She would joke that she left college with her Bachelors and her Mrs. degree.  Jeff and Karlene had two daughters, Shannon and Allison.

Karlene was happiest when she was making music.  She was very involved with the church choir at each church she attended, and she played the handbells for many years as well.  Karlene had a special gift for baking pies.  She was well known for her apple and cherry pies among her family and friends.  Karlene also enjoyed sewing, painting, reading, ice skating, doing puzzles, and completing house projects especially alongside Jeff.

Karlene loved spending time with her family.  She is survived by her daughters, Shannon (Laura) Kirshenbaum of Holden, Massachusetts, and Allison (Brett) Watson of Northville, Michigan; and her four grandchildren, Hazel and Emerson Kirshenbaum and Claire and Werner Watson.   She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister.

Karlene donated her body to the Anatomical Gift program at the University of Michigan.  Her body will be used to further science research, and her family is so glad they were able to make that dream of hers a reality.  When her cremated remains are returned, her family will spread some up north near Lake Skegemog at the family cottage where they spent lots of happy times.

A Time of gathering will be held Saturday, January 11th from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2345 Robinson Rd., SE, Grand Rapids, MI with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association , 25200 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 100, Southfield, MI 48033 in Karlene’s honor.