Karen Gail Arft

Karen Gail Arft passed away on February 14, 2019 at the age of 80. She was born on March 5, 1938 in  Britton, Mich. to Clarence and Leona Herford.

Karen graduated from Britton-Macon High School in 1955 and Cleary Business College in 1956.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Leona Herford; her husband, James G.; and sons James K. and John Arft. She is survived by daughter Kathy and son Jack; and grandchildren Alex, Drew, Lily and Mary Arft.

Karen served as president of the PTA and worked as secretary to the minister at Britton Congregational Church, where she also taught Sunday School, led the junior choir, and played piano. She took in sewing for many years and worked for Wagner Farms, harvesting potatoes. She went to work at Tecumseh Products Company in 1981 and was a secretary in the accounting department. She quit in 1997 to join her husband in retirement. They spent their winters in Bradenton, Fla.

Karen loved to travel in their fifth wheel and visited all but five states and one Canadian province. They also boated in Lake Erie and kept a boat in Monroe, Mich. Jim and Karen had the privilege of visiting many European countries and cruised to many Mediterranean and Greek islands.

They were Coast Guard Auxiliary members and Karen published newsletters for both the local and district CGA. She wrote a monthly column about the comical side of boating and boating safety for Mid-American Boating magazine for seven years. She also did a newsletter for her retirement community, Palma Sola Shores, in Florida. Karen loved to write poems and wrote her memoirs.

Purse Funeral Home in Tecumseh, Mich., is handling the final arrangements. Per her request, no memorial service will be held. Burial will be in Ridgeway Cemetery.

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