Bernadine A. Karns,82, of Fredonia Township, died on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital following a short illness.
Bernie was born on September 13, 1938 in Marshall to Henry and Mabel (Bellairs) Woods. She attended Saint Mary School thru the 8th grade, and she would graduate from Marshall High School in 1956. On September 15, 1956 she married Gordon F. Karns in Marshall at Saint Mary Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on August 8, 2016.
Bernie was a homemaker staying home to raise her family and help on the family farm. She also gave riding lessons, and bought and sold horses for many years. Bernie was a member and leader of the 4-H Tumbleweed Riders. She also was member and past board member of the Calhoun County Draft Horse and Pony Club, National Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry, Michigan Horse Drawn Vehicle Association, and the Welsh Pony Club. Bernie also served her community being on the Marshall District Library Board, Deputy Clerk for Fredonia Township, and helped the University of Michigan with research for the postal service. She loved reading, puzzles and going for horse back rides. Bernie especially loved her life on the farm spending time with her family and her animals.
She is survived by her children Greg (Judy Russell) Karns, Phillip (Mary) Karns, and Annette “Anne” (George) Crandall; grandchildren Bridget Karns and Ryan Karns; siblings Leonard Woods and Elizabeth Huggett; and special friends Adrian and Nellie Chapay-Poema. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings, Kenneth Woods, Keith Woods, Henry Woods, Francis Woods, Marie Woods, and Rose Rita Richardson.
Family will greet friends from 4-7pm on Monday, September 6, 2021, at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US 27 N Marshall MI 49068. Funeral service celebrating her life will take place at 11am on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall MI 49068. Interment will follow Saint Mary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to charity of one’s choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com
Monday, September 6, 2021
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Marshall Chapel Kempf Family Funeral (US 27 North)
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Starts at 12:15 pm (Eastern time)
St. Mary Catholic Cemetery
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