Rev. Karen Poole

Rev. Karen Beth Poole, age 82, of Big Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Farmington Hills and several other locations in southeast Michigan, passed away late Tuesday evening, October 22, 2024 at her home under the loving care of her husband and Corewell Health Hospice. The daughter of Delbert Gerald & Mildred Ester (Tunison) Domes, she was born on September 22, 1942 in Highland Park, Michigan. After a career as a high school biology and physical education teacher, she answered a calling to ministry. After graduating with her Masters in Divinity degree from Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois she began a second vocation as a United Methodist pastor, and in youth and Christian education ministry. Pastor Karen served ministerial appointments to United Methodist Churches throughout Southeast Michigan. She was an Associate Minister in Monroe, Brighton, and Farmington Hills, and the solo Pastor in Trenton and two churches in Commerce Township. She was the first female clergy person in each of these churches, and had to cope with the negative feelings of several members about women, in what they saw as a man's role. After retirement as a pastor, she became the Director of Christian Education at Nardin Park United Methodist Church of Farmington Hills. After moving to Big Rapids in December 2019, she took on the task or rebuilding the Christian Education program at Big Rapids First United Methodist Church. On August 11, 1984 she married Gary Thomas Poole and together they enjoyed 40 years of marriage and were active in the First United Methodist Church of Big Rapids. Karen was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are her husband, Gary T. Poole of Big Rapids; her two sons, Mark Wolfgram and his wife Vesna Radulovic of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and Tod Wolfgram of Chesterfield Township, Michigan; one daughter, Beth & Brian Bejcek of Big Rapids; three grandchildren, Maddy Wolfgram and Erin and Caitlin Bejcek; her sister, Delene Perley of Portland, Maine; and her two step-children, Karen & Kirk Thaemert of St. Charles, Missouri, and Thomas & Angie Poole of Canton, Michigan. A celebration of praise and thanksgiving for Pastor Karen’s life and new Eternal life is at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Big Rapids First United Methodist Church (304 Elm Street, in downtown Big Rapids) with her pastor, Rev. Jeremy Wicks, officiating. A time of food and fellowship will follow the ceremony. Instead of flowers, Pastor Karen would have appreciated contributions in her memory to Big Rapids First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, or Corewell Health Hospice. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Pastor Karen’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Karen Poole, please visit our flower store.