Karen Ann Tomasek

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend was reunited with her first love, the man with the famous blue suede shoes, on September 1, 2023. Age 80 years. Karen was born on January 13, 1943, in Capac, Michigan to Richard and the late Ethel (Blumerich) Clark who she loved fiercely. She married Joseph Tomasek on May 3, 1963.  Karen worked for 20 years at Dow Chemical, retiring in 1995. Always the diligent daughter and mother she checked in daily with family, including hours before she left this world.   She was known for her delicious cabbage rolls. A lifetime lover of books, her favorite places to read were Northern Michigan, including Mio and Drummond Island. During long car rides to her favorite destinations, she loved listening to music, especially the Stadler Brothers and Jimmy Fortune, who she recently saw in concert. Karen had an amazing sense of humor and a strong will, which allowed her to overcome several health challenges that came her way. Her children always came first, she was ever by their side and never more than a phone call away.  Always there to offer a kind word, a shoulder to cry on and unwavering support; forever their biggest cheerleader. 

The strength, support and love it took to raise her four kids grew over the years, as she poured those same traits into her grandchildren, spoiling them whenever she could. Her house was always the favorite stop at Halloween where all the kids were greeted with grocery bags full of their favorite candies and snacks. 

Karen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Joseph Tomasek, four children: Tammy (Roy) Ward, Merrill, Todd Tomasek, Hemlock, Troy (Kathy Murphy) Tomasek, Hemlock, and Teri (Kim) Haenlein, Linden; nine grandchildren: KaSandra (Larry) Washburn, Alesha (James) Bethke, Caleb Tomasek, Austin Tomasek, Justin (Carly) Tomasek, Tyler Tomasek, Kimberly Haenlein, Dalton Haenlein, and Nason Haenlein: five great-grandchildren, her father, Richard Clark, siblings: Keith (Carol) Clark and Randy (Kathy) Clark; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. 

She was predeceased by her mother, Ethel Clark, and father and mother-in-law Joseph and Louise Tomasek. 

Honoring Karen’s wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at W.L. Case and Company, 201 North Miller Road, Saginaw. Rev. Julie Bailey will officiate. Friends and family may visit with the family from 11:00 am until thetime of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Dalis to the Rescue.