Karen (Stewart) Gruver, 66, of Climax Township, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2020 at Borgess Place in Kalamazoo after several years of failing health.
A graveside service will be held at Burr Oak Cemetery in Athens at a later date.
Karen was born July 7, 1953 in Battle Creek, MI to Lawrence and Lola Irene (McGuirk) Stewart. She grew up and lived most of her life in the Fulton-Climax area, graduating from Climax-Scotts High School in 1971. In July of that year she married Kenneth W. Gruver, but their union ended in divorce. She was later in a long-term relationship with Steve Rustenholtz, Sr.
Karen worked for a few years at Research Molding in Mendon and then became a homemaker. She was very loving, kind and inviting to everyone, but was also straight and to the point. She liked to watch movies, to cook for her family and to crochet afghans for her grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Karen loved animals, especially her cat, Max. She will be missed by many, but definitely by her family.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth W. (Amy) Gruver II of Fulton, Stewart (Mary) Gruver of Stevensville and Steven Rustenholtz of Fulton; grandchildren Chelsea, Alison, Lillian, Aaron, Courtney, Devon, Alicia and Sabra; great-grandchildren, Leanna, Esther, Shaylea, Kacee and Zayden; a sister, Suzette (Ralph) Moore of Athens; and nephews Michael (Katie) Freeburn and Jamie (Sarah) Freeburn.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Lighthouse, PO Box 161, Union City, MI 49094 or made online at
https://www.lighthousefuneral.com/funeral-funding/donate-to-funeral-expenses
, to assist the family with final expenses.
