Karen Jeannette McCardel

Haslett, MI – Karen (Lindell) McCardel, age 79 went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Monday, September 14, 2020 with her loved ones by her side. She was born on August 18, 1941 in Lansing, MI, to Vera and Arthur Lindell.

She was a graduate of East Lansing High School in 1959 and received her BA in Education from Michigan State University in 1973. Her gift was teaching, and she taught the majority of her career at Meridian High School in Haslett, MI. Her passions in life were her family, her students, and her love for Michigan State Spartans Football and Basketball.

Karen was a gifted teacher and has a tremendous impact on her students throughout her career. By far, her favorite memories were the times she spent with her students on their annual field trips every Spring to Washington, DC. She participated in the Close Up Foundation that aims to build students’ sense of political efficacy. During this six-day/five-night program students meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill, participate in structured learning activities at Washington’s monuments and memorials, and engage in workshops about how our government works.

Later on in life, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called, Late-Onset Pompe Disease. This is a very debilitating disease that produces muscle weakness and breathing difficulty. Despite her disease, she continued to teach for many years and continue to inspire her students throughout their high school years.

Our family owes a great deal of gratitude to the various caregivers, doctors, and medical professionals that graciously helped her manage her disease throughout the remainder of her life.

Her main caregivers included: Sharon Spence, Adrianne Smorra, Amanda Bartels, and Jan Davenport.

Special thanks also to her primary doctors throughout the years: Dr. Brian McCardel, MD (Lansing, MI), Dr. Kashmira Chinoy, MD (Okemos, MI), Dr. Andrea Amalfitano, DO (Okemos, MI), and Dr. Stacie Adams, MD (Grand Rapids, MI).

Finally, we want to thank all of the health care warriors at the Sparrow Hospital Infusion Center (Lansing, MI), and at The Willows Senior Care Center (Okemos, MI). Karen loved you all very much!

She was preceded in death by her parents Art and Vera, brother, Ron, brother-in-law Thomas Beach, and niece, Cindy (Lindell) Nordberg. She is survived by her sister Barb (Lindell) Beach; children Mark McCardel, Michael McCardel, and Janna (Zhang) McCardel; grandchildren Rye (Yu) McCardel, Miranda McCardel, and Landon McCardel; nieces Kierstin (Beach) Meis and Norma (Lorence) Beach; and nephews Jeff Beach and Kurt Meis.

Memorial Service

Monday, September 21st @11:00 am at

Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church,

955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.

Visitation before Mass at 10:00 am

Committal Service following Memorial Service at

Evergreen Cemetery,

2600 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910

NOTE: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, 4315 Pleasant Grove Rd., Lansing, MI 48910.