Karen Ann Manley's Obituary
OBITUARY:Karen Ann Manley, aged 60, died at her Scottville farm house surrounded by family and friends early Friday morning, July 2, 2010, following a long 3 year battle with lung cancer. Born April 1, 1950 and raised in Scottville. Karen graduated from Mason County Central in 1968. She attended beauty school and worked as a beautician in Ludington for several years before deciding to follow in her father’s foot steps and become a school bus driver. For the next 25 years, she became heavily involved in the Scottville school system, retiring in 2010. Karen met most of her life-long friends while driving school bus and during the years she spent as office manager for the Mason County Central Transportation Department. Karen was a woman who was easy to know and love; imparting her warm and generous friendship to everyone she met.Karen became Mrs. Clarence Manley on January 18, 1969 and she and Clarence spent 41 blissful years together. They had known each other in school, but Karen would often joke that she had overlooked Clarence until he returned from the Marines a “Man”. The two went on to raise three wonderful loving children while still finding time to ride motorcycles, bowl and lead 4H clubs. During the school’s summer vacation months Karen and her family would spend their time at Timber Surf campground where Karen would work and relax.In recent years, Karen became known for her love of raising pygmy goats. She found great joy in taking her “kids” to children’s events all over the county, earning her the reputation of “Goat Lady”. But Karen’s greatest passion was simply being a grandmother. She loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren.Karen was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Frieda (Fenner) Bittel and her grand-dogs Kelsey and Shelby Bowcamp. She will be greatly missed by her husband Clarence; her children Mary Lou (Paul) Linenfelser of Walhalla, Christy (Tim) Bowcamp of Buckley, and Jeff (Alexis) Manley of Elk Rapids; her beloved grandchildren Megan, Allison, Natalie and Gretchen Linenfelser; Cara and Sasha Bowcamp; Lennon, Liam, Silas, River and Juno Manley; and more close friends than can be listed.
What’s your fondest memory of Karen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Karen?
Share a story where Karen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Karen you’ll never forget.
How did Karen make you smile?