Karen Elaine Jackman

Karen Elaine Jackman, 81, of Howell, MI, passed away peacefully on September 30 due to illness. She was the third of four children born on January 23, 1943, to Lawrence and Eunice Lucas. Karen obtained her Bachelor of Education from Olivet Nazarene University and later earned her Master of Education from Michigan State University. She was the beloved and inspiring principal at K-12 Farmington Hills Christian School from September 1973 through May 1977. She was also a thriving and dearly loved teacher in the Lansing Public Schools until retiring from her final post at Kendon Elementary School. She was actively involved in schools and surrounding churches as a ventriloquist and puppeteer, a passion that led to a long resume of Vacation Bible Schools she organized across the Midwest with a group she dubbed the Kid's Crusaders. Her legacy in education and ministry has brought lasting joy to countless lives, too numerous to list.
At home, she took on the role of matriarch with dedication and zeal after her siblings' deaths. She organized reunions to bring together cousins and distant relatives every year and always had something special planned for the holidays with close family. She was the kind of person who found more joy in seeing others happy than herself, which was evident when she would take her nieces and nephews on adventures like horseback riding, sledding, four-wheeling, and even motorcycle rides. One thing everyone could count on aside from her sense of adventure was her infamous pranks, a sneaky occasion discovered every year. She was the proud aunt to Susan Keller, Kathleen (Keller) Blair, Wendy (Keller) Ford, Karen Ann (Keller) Piggott, Heath Krumlauf, Aaron Krumlauf, Tim Lucas, Jeremy Lucas, and Melody (Lucas) DeCoe. She was also a proud great-aunt to Jonathan, Elysha, Amy, Michaela, Natalie, Emily, Isabella, Kellan, Jackson, Edwin, Ethan, Grant, Luke, Joshua, Chloe, Owen, Brody, Elle, Ana, and Ava. Additionally, she held the title of great-great-aunt to eight more nieces and nephews.
Karen Jackman was rooted in the firm foundation of her Savior, Jesus Christ, which she credited for her fun-loving approach to life. She exemplified to her family, friends, and colleagues what it means to live life on the edge, embrace adventure, and bring joy to those around her. She will be greatly missed.
Please join us at the visitation which will be on Saturday, October 5th at 1:00 and the celebration of her life will follow at 3:00 at Fowlerville Baptist Church, 214 S. Grand Ave, Fowlerville, MI 48336.
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