Karen (Branshaw) Burgess

She was born on October 25, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois to Robert and Mary Branshaw. On June 12, 1976 in Peoria, Illinois, Karen wed her beloved husband, Mark Burgess. She attended Illinois State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree and then went on to earn her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin. Karen and Mark moved from Oak Park, Illinois to Okemos, Michigan, where Karen took employment as an executive director for the Michigan Dental Association. Friends and family fondly remember Karen as being full of love and friendship. She will be deeply missed and her memory forever cherished by all those who knew and loved her.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Mark Burgess of Okemos, MI; her children, Peter (Alison) Burgess of Brown Deer, WI and Cameron Burgess of Okemos, MI; one grandchild, Oliver Burgess of Brown Deer, WI; and her brother, Kevin Branshaw of Novi, MI. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Branshaw.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

The Michigan Dental Association, respecting the wishes of the Burgess Family, will be holding a Celebration of Life event in honor of Karen Burgess. The event will take place following the MDA Leadership Forum which is an event that was near and dear to Karen.

Karen's Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 from 4:30pm – 6:30pm (4:30pm-5:30pm visitation with the Burgess family, followed by a formal program at 5:30pm) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. Please rsvp to Andrea Sunderman at [email protected]

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for Karen's family.