Karen Kay Fox

Karen Kay Fox, 81, of Marshall, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born on November 10, 1942 to Romane and Angeline (Meyers) Scherschligt in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

On August 22, 1964 she married Paul Thomas Fox at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota., sadly he passed away on April 2, 2005.

Karen graduated from St. Joseph Cathedral High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1964 she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in education majoring in English from St. Mary's College in Omaha, Nebraska and then in 1983 she earned her master's degree from Michigan State University in Educational Leadership, while working full time and raising six children.

Karen began her career in 1964 as an Elementary Teacher at St. Mary's Catholic School in Marshall, where she had the distinction of being their first lay teacher. Having stopped teaching in 1969 to raise her children, she returned to teach at St. Philip Catholic Elementary in 1980. She left St. Philip in 1998 to reopen St. Charles Borromeo in Coldwater where Karen was the principal until 2001. Missing St. Philip, she returned there from 2001-2004. Karen finished her career as the Curriculum Director of Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools retiring in 2009.

She and Paul spent time traveling throughout the United States, but their biggest trip was to Rome. Karen's last large trip was an Alaskan Cruise with her co-worker Gail Brandow. She most enjoyed traveling with her children and grandchildren. At first, not knowing how to cook upon her marriage, she became an excellent cook with her family of eight. Karen tended to a large garden and canned most of the bounty from it. She had fun attending garage and estate sales along with craft shows. Karen was very talented at many things, including sewing and reupholstering furniture. She looked forward to attending programs at the library, the monthly dining group and being among friends. Her Faith was very important as she attended many church activities at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshall where she continued to be a Parishioner. Karen loved her home she and Paul designed and built in 1971 and still resided in with her family and spending as much time with them as possible was most important.

Karen is survived by her children, Carita Fox of Marshall, Derek Fox of Marshall, Damon Fox of Battle Creek, Dustin (Julie) Fox of Battle Creek, Charisse (Tim) Fesko of Canton and Paul (Mindy) Thomas Fox II of Kalamazoo; her seven grandchildren, Brody Fox of Battle Creek, Madisen McCarley of Marshall, Kaleb Fox of Coldwater, Steven Fesko of Canton, Scott Fesko of Canton, Paige Fox of Battle Creek and Kyle Fox of Battle Creek; her great grandchildren, Amelia Fox, Haelynn McCarley, Noah McCarley and Ariella Cantwell; her brother, Bradley (Linda) Scherschligt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; her sister-in-law, Sheryl Scherschligt of Champagne, Illinois and her special friend, Karyl (Pat) O'Neil of Worthington, Minnesota. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Jackson and Amber McCrossen who helped provide comfort and care to our Mom toward the end of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul Thomas Fox and her brother, Richard Scherschligt.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm & 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068 where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.     

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Marshall, Michigan, with Reverend Father Craig Lusk officiating.

Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan at 1:30 pm, Friday, March 22, 2024.

Memorials are suggested to the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools (Attn: Lamothe Fund 63 North 24th Street Battle Creek, MI 49015), St. Mary's Catholic Church (212 W Hanover St. Marshall, MI 49068), or the Alzheimer's Association (255 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601).

Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.