September 22, 1942 – October 22, 2024
Rev. Karen Beth Poole, age 82, of Big Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Farmington Hills and several other locations in southeast Michigan, passed away late Tuesday evening, October 22, 2024, at her home under the loving care of her husband and Corewell Health Hospice. The daughter of Delbert Gerald and Mildred Ester (Tunison) Domes, she was born on September 22, 1942, in Highland Park, Michigan.
After a career as a high school biology and physical education teacher, she answered a calling to ministry. After graduating with her Master of Divinity degree from Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, she began a second vocation as a United Methodist pastor, as well as in youth and Christian education ministry.
Pastor Karen served ministerial appointments at United Methodist Churches throughout Southeast Michigan. She was an Associate Minister in Monroe, Brighton, and Farmington Hills, as well as the solo Pastor in Trenton and two churches in Commerce Township. She was the first female clergy person in each of these churches and had to cope with the negative feelings of several members regarding women in what they perceived as a man’s role. After retiring as a pastor, she became the Director of Christian Education at Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. After moving to Big Rapids in December 2019, she took on the task of rebuilding the Christian Education program at Big Rapids First United Methodist Church.
On August 11, 1984, she married Gary Thomas Poole, and together they enjoyed 40 years of marriage and were active in the First United Methodist Church of Big Rapids.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are her husband, Gary T. Poole of Big Rapids; her two sons, Mark Wolfgram and his wife, Vesna Radulovic, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and Tod Wolfgram of Chesterfield Township, Michigan; one daughter, Beth and Brian Bejcek of Big Rapids; three grandchildren, Maddy Wolfgram and Erin and Caitlin Bejcek; her sister, Delene Perley of Portland, Maine; and her two stepchildren, Karen and Kirk Thaemert of St. Charles, Missouri, and Thomas and Angie Poole of Canton, Michigan.
A celebration of praise and thanksgiving for Pastor Karen’s life and new eternal life is at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Big Rapids First United Methodist Church (304 Elm Street, in downtown Big Rapids) with pastor, Rev. Jeremy Wicks, officiating. A time of food and fellowship will follow the ceremony.
Instead of flowers, Pastor Karen would have appreciated contributions in her memory to Big Rapids First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, or Corewell Health Hospice.
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Pastor Karen’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638.
*Poole, Karen B. (Gary) – DECEASED [(RE) P 1983; F 1988; RE 2006] school, St. John’s Seminary, Plymouth 1985; Monroe: St. Paul’s (assoc) 1986; Brighton: First (assoc) 1988; Farmington: Nardin Park (assoc) 1993; Trenton: First 1997; sabbatical leave 2003; Waterford: Four Towns, Trinity (Intentional Interim ¶329.3) 2004; Retired 2006.
Last Updated on October 25, 2024