Karen Edith Lodge

LODGE, KAREN E. Age 85 passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 30, 2025, surrounded by family. Her life was marked by deep faith, joyful service, and unwavering devotion to the people she loved. Karen was born on February 15, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up there with her parents, Karl and Rosella, and her brother, Ron. She graduated from Denby High School in 1958, where she met the love of her life, Ronald William Lodge. The two were married on September 10, 1960. After a brief time living in Warren, they settled in Shelby Township in 1965, where they built a home and raised their four children. Early in their marriage, Karen worked for AAA in Detroit, but her greatest calling came at home. Together, she and Ron raised four children and later welcomed six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren—with one more expected soon. Once her children were in school, she returned to work at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester as a ward clerk in the pediatrics department—a role that reflected her nurturing spirit. As a young mother, Karen enjoyed sewing, needlework, bowling leagues, and neighborhood card nights. In her later years, Karen also became an enthusiastic sports fan. She cheered faithfully for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and was a proud supporter of Michigan State football. Win or lose, she stayed loyal—offering the same unwavering support to her teams as she did to her family. But it was her faith that grounded her. A long-time member of St. Thomas Presbyterian Church in Shelby Township, she sang joyfully in the choir and found deep purpose in serving others. Her warm hugs, kind words, and sincere compassion were gifts she shared freely. Summers were often spent at Cherry Beach, the family cottage in Marine City. It was a treasured place filled with memories, laughter, and the comfort of tradition. Even after the loss of her husband Ron and her father Karl, Karen continued to show her enduring strength and gentle care, lovingly tending to her mother, Rosella, in her later years. She was a supportive presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren—attending concerts, musicals, dance recitals, soccer games, baseball games, and every celebration. She loved sleepovers with the grandkids, movie nights with popcorn, couch-bed cuddles, and making each one feel uniquely special. In 2016, she suffered a stroke, but with determination and faith, made an incredible recovery. Due to memory decline in 2024, Karen sold her Shelby Twp. home she and Ron had built and moved into independent living in Rochester Hills. Eagerly anticipating another summer at Cherry Beach, she began packing in February and was grateful to enjoy a few cherished weeks by the water with her brother before suffering another stroke on Father’s Day. She entered hospice care shortly after and spent her final days surrounded by the love of family. Karen’s legacy is one of steadfast love, gentle strength, and faithful service. She leaves behind a family who adored her and a community better for having known her. Beloved wife of the late Ronald. Loving mother of Jeffrey (Derya) Lodge, Deborah (John) Gasparovich, Stephen (Lisa) Lodge & Cheryl (Vincent) Arini. Proud grandmother of Brendan (Tyler Young) Lodge, Jordan (Ben) Blaska, Lindsay Gasparovich, the late Ryan Gasparovich, Samantha Arini & Courtney Arini. Great grandmother of Lucas & Avery. Dearest sister of Ronald Rappold. Visitation Sunday 3-9pm with 7:00pm Sharing of Memories. Funeral Monday, visitation beginning at 10:00am until 10:30am Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (SHELBY TOWNSHIP). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, (designation — the music fund, in memory of Karen Lodge): 55355 Mound Road, Shelby Twp., MI 48316 or to the Red Cross at redcross.org Interment Christian Memorial Gardens West. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.

Karen Edith Lodge

February 15, 1940 - June 30, 2025