Karen was born to John R. and Angie (DeVries) Buitendorp on July 15, 1941 in Muskegon, Michigan. Karen married Norman A. Knapp at Unity Reformed Church on March 16, 1962. Norm and Karen were married for fifty-six years. Karen had five children: Joy (Vince) Port; James (Cara) Knapp; John Knapp; Jean (Bill) Decker; and Jill (Lonnie) Workman. She was also blessed with ten grandchildren: Joshua (Corey) Knapp, Jessica (Joseph) Burns, Jenna (Alexis) Benesch, Ashley (Rashelle) Port, Jacob Knapp, Justin Knapp, Jordan Knapp, Jaden Knapp, Tyler Workman, and Emalee Workman. Karen also welcomed her first great-grandchild, Conner Burns, in 2018.
Karen graduated from Muskegon Heights High School, and she liked singing in the choir. She loved her husband and her children, and she was active in their lives. Norm and Karen assisted with Teen Christian Endeavor at Unity Reformed Church in their young, married years. She was a member-- and sometime president—of the Moon Elementary School P.T.A. for the almost two decades she had children enrolled in the school. She was active in the Band Parent organizations at Steele Junior High, Muskegon High, and Fruitport High Schools. Karen helped to feed many judges, directors, and volunteers at Solo & Ensemble competitions, and she spent many Friday nights working the MHS band concession stand in the tunnel of Hackley Stadium. When possible, she would sneak up and watch her children perform their halftime shows on the field. In her later years, Karen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
A celebration of Karen's life is planned for July 06, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Unity Reformed Church on 1521 Porter Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the youth group of Unity Reformed Church, 1521 Porter Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441.
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