Karen Bamberg (Doyle)

Karen Ann Bamberg was a dedicated wife, daughter, sister, and aunt. She used her life to bring the best out of those she loved. She found the greatest happiness in the presence of her family.

Born to joyful parents Harold and Margaret (Socia) Doyle of Kalamazoo, Michigan on December 3, 1961. The youngest of four children.

Karen was raised in a unique childhood rooted in the deafness of her parents. Karen’s role in her parent's silent world was periodically crashed by the boisterous drums of her two brothers, and an older sister trying to keep a harmony within it all. Being the youngest of four had its privilege, and her father would always find a sweet or a stick of gum he had secretly stowed away for her delight.

Karen’s role as caregiver began early. She, like her siblings before her, took her turn interpreting for her parents. She took the responsibility seriously and had kept that role until her untimely passing. Her connection with her family was deep. She dearly missed her father and grandmother well after their passing and became a beacon of their light as well as her own.

She grew up in one of the first suburbs of Kalamazoo on the west side called Indian Village on Seminole Street amidst the other Indian named streets. This is where cornfields and new construction vied for position. It was a time where the old world met the new and Karen was in the best position to watch, as a child.

She set up kool-aid stands, and basked in the cool hose watered plastic swimming pools. She was able to roam the neighborhood freely from house to house in the comfort and safety of good neighbors.

She connected the past with the modern times emerging around her with a very special friend. Her horse Rex was a connection to the world outside the neighborhood. The world that would stretch out beyond the familiar streets and her curiosity she would soon follow.

She attended Westwood Elementary School and Vicksburg High School, until her junior year. Karen’s best friend, Shelly, who also loved horses, was in Atlanta, Georgia, and with her parents blessings Karen went down to stay with her, to finish their senior year together. They

graduated with the class of 1979. After graduating, Karen returned to her family in Michigan and found work at Stryker for a while before taking a job as a clerk at the Secretary of State’s office.

In 1980, Karen’s life took a new direction when she met Leendert Bamberg at Barton Lake. She and some friends went to a campfire at what turned out to be Leendert’s sister’s house. The two really hit it off from the get go and it wasn’t long before love blossomed. The couple was happily married on July 11, 1981, in Parchment at the Christian Reformed Church on G Avenue. Their romantic honeymoon was spent at Cedar Point and a week in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, staying at various campgrounds.

The first years of marriage, Leendert and Karen were a little nomadic. Looking for a home with the right feel was something that took a little more time. But they took the time. Moving from their first little apartment in Portage, eventually hopping state lines to Indiana and Ohio. Eventually all their roads lead home, back to Michigan and more familiar turf. They bought 6 acres of land in Schoolcraft where in 1988 they built the home around their dreams in the country where Lee and Karen could smell the earth and feel the sky, so important to them both. After it was built Karen took great delight in putting her own touch on the walls and property.

Leendert is a machinist at FLOWSERVE in Kalamazoo, and previously worked 18 years at National Waterlift (also known as Parker Abex). Odd work hours took too much time away from them. In 2000, she quit her job to make more time together. Although Leendert made a daily drive to work in Grand Rapids, they kept a 35-foot camper trailer in Sandy Pines to minimize driving time and give them a cozy "second home." Karen loved being at home; her special place and refuge. She loved decorating their two homes and enjoyed cooking. She loved the holidays, and the trailer was always decked out for a Fourth of July celebration.

Although Lee and Karen had no children of their own, Karen fostered many close bonds with her nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. Karen wholeheartedly enjoyed her role as an aunt and always took the time to give them some timely and now timeless advice. Karen would always think of others and faithfully remembered everyone’s birthday. One of her best memories was when the entire family rented a house on Marco Island, Florida, and enjoyed an unforgettable week together.

Karen had a very private and reflective side. She loved to read and research new curiosities. Her favorite poem, "Footprints in the Sand,” was a window into her faith. She read the Bible daily which gave her both comfort and strength. She loved music and a radio often connected her to other happy times.

Karen was a woman with an enormous heart. She loved the big wide world around her, but her real love was family. She was and always will be the advocate for warm houses, warm hearts and happy family moments. She fulfilled her role as a loving wife, daughter, sister and aunt. Her family will miss her love and efforts.

While her family weeps, her journey continues, her light still shines. Smiles will return, she promises.

Karen Ann Bamberg (Doyle), age 43 of Schoolcraft, MI, died on Friday, March 25, 2005, at the University of Michigan Hospital. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Doyle and grandmother, Ruth Riley. Members of Karen’s family include her husband of 24 years, Leendert Bamberg; a sister, Barbara (Rodney) Church of Richland; two brothers: Ed Doyle of New York and Michael Doyle of Vicksburg; her mother, Margaret Doyle of Kalamazoo; seven nieces and nephews: Leslie, Heather, and Joshua Church, Crystal (Rob) Melson, Melyssa and Sarah Doyle, Robert Bamberg; three great nieces: Charity, Megan and Donna Melson; father and mother-in-law: Bob and Jane Bamberg of Stroh, IN; and a sister-in-law, JoDien Bamberg of Woodburn, IN.

Learn more about Karen, view her Life Story film and visit with her family and friends on Tuesday, March 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the BETZLER LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOME, Stadium Drive (West of US-131) where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, March 30, at 11

a.m. Interment will take place at Mt. EverRest North Cemetery. Please visit Karen’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to the Kalamazoo Nature Center.