Obituary of Karen Anne Willard

Willard, Karen Anne Saginaw, Michigan Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away unexpectedly on Thursday evening, December 31, 2020 at her residence. She was 74 years old. Karen Anne Parks was born on July 15, 1946 in Gaylord, MI to the late Eustace "Buss" and Julia (Korzecki) Parks. She married James W. Willard on September 13, 1986 at the First Congregational Church in Saginaw. Karen was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a Letter Carrier, for several years. Karen was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Saginaw and more recently attended St. Francis de Sales Parish - St. Christopher site. She loved baking and made cakes for all kinds of events. Karen was an excellent cook and was known for making dozens of tacos for her family every Saturday night. Her favorite place to be in the house was in her kitchen where she enjoyed making all different types of candy and cookies at Christmas time every year. Karen was creative and like to sew. She was a lover of all animals and adored her three fur babies, Rylee, Snuggles, and Hamm. But, what she loved most was spending time with her family. Surviving are her husband, James; children, Jim "Loyd" (Janice) Wilson, and John (Nicholas) Wilson; grandchildren, Tiffany (fiancé Brian), Matthew (Erica), Jacob, and many other children that she treated as her own grandchildren; siblings, James (Susan) Parks, Judith (Garth) Tuxford, Thomas (Deb) Parks, Lydia (David) Enos-McGregor, James Parks, Timothy (Cindy) Parks, and Jacqueline (Rich) Burrill; Sisters in-law, Kathie Parks, Leigh Parks, and Kimberly Parks; god children, Mark Enos, Jonathan Parks, and Lydia Hughes; cousin, Edna Wotring and many nieces, nephews, and other close family members and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Parks; brother in-law Timothy Enos; sister in-law Sarah Richard, father of her children, James L. Wilson Jr., and mother in-law LaVerne Stone. "She was my soulmate and best friend, she was an angel on earth and I'm really going to miss her." - Her loving husband Jim FUNERAL SERVICE: A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the St. Francis de Sales - St. Christopher Site, 3945 Williamson Road. Rev. Fr. John Mancini, OSFS will officiate. Rite of Committal to follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. For those that are unable to attend the funeral service, you are invited to join remotely; the livestream will begin approximately at 11:00 a.m. at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/53879183 VISITATION: Family and friends will gather at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. In keeping with mandated ordinances and for the safety of the community, face masks are required, social distancing, and gathering guidelines will be observed. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the American Heart Association, Undercover Angels, or the American Diabetes Association. Deisler Funeral Home is honored to serve the Willard family. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, at the church or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.