Kary A. Howard Olsen

Kary A. Howard Olsen, age 33, of Ceresco, died at Borgess Medical Center, Sunday evening, March 26, 2006. She was taken there after being stricken unexpectedly at her home. Kary was born June 18, 1972 at the family farm home in Emmett Township to James L. and Florence E. "Flo" (Davenport) Howard. Three days after her birth, Kary''s mother bundled her buggy with mosquito netting and took Kary to the barn that she would grow to love. She attended Harper Creek High School, where she was on the Honor Roll prior to her graduation in 1990. After graduation, Kary attended Kellogg Community College and completed Nurse''s Aide training. She worked as a nurse''s aide for an area nursing agency, and worked on the family farm until entering Michigan State University in 1998. Kary graduated from Michigan State University in May of 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Applications as well as a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Natural Resource Communications. At MSU she was a member of the Bailey Scholars. While still at MSU, she was on in an internet chat room that allowed her to speak with people all around the world. During that time she took up conversation with Lars Olsen of Copenhagen, Denmark. They "chatted" about many topics and became close friends over time. Lars saw the values and qualities that he would seek in a partner in his life, and finally professed his love to Kary. She admitted to feeling the same, and the couple met in Copenhagen. Lars proposed to Kary there. They were married on May 11, 2002 at her parent''s farm, after numerous men in tuxedos herded the cows off that seemed to want to participate also! The couple returned to Lars'' home in Copenhagen. Kary fell in love with her husband''s country, and learned to speak Danish. She served as a self appointed and enthusiastic American Ambassador, making many friends there. Even so, Lars and Kary decided to move back to Michigan, and did so in the fall of 2004, moving back to the farm in Ceresco. Currently Kary was the Gun River Watershed Manager for the Allegan Conservation District, which she referred to as her "dream job". Kary was still active working the Howard''s dairy farm. She was capable of doing any chore necessary at the farm, and earned respect from her father and farm hands for her skills, which included the ability to climb up in the silo and fix the chopper. When her father Jim was asked by anyone helping on the farm what they should do, his normal answer was "Whatever Kary tells you!" She loved the cows she tended, especially her own Holstein she lovingly referred to as "Mary The Cow". Tending to new born calves was a favorite farm chore. While in high school, she was a member of the Easy Riders 4-H Club. She still loved horses, and had a mare she named Misty. She also had a dog, Dottie, and loved all animals. Kary enjoyed travel. In high school, she participated in a student exchange program that took her to Australia, where she experienced farm life there. While in college, she toured much of Europe. She is survived by her husband Lars Olsen, her parents, James and Florence "Flo" Howard, her brother Lawrence (Rhonda) Howard , niece Chelsea , and nephews Dylan, Jacob and Thomas all of Ceresco; her maternal grandmother, Laura Davenport of Daytona Beach, FL; and many aunts, uncles, cousins ,friends and co-workers. Kary was a loving and well loved woman, who will be deeply missed by family and friends. Friends may call at CRAIG K.KEMPF FUNERAL HOME, 103 E. Mansion Street, Marshall on Thursday, March 30, 9AM-9PM, where family will be present to receive visitors from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. Services will be held at KEMPF FUNERAL HOME Friday at 11AM with Rev. Jim Roberts officiating. Interment Newton Cemetery. Memorials to World Wildlife Foundation.