Karen "Momma J" Jansheski

Compassionate, determined, and fiercely protective when it came to her loved ones, Karen Jansheski truly lived every day to the very fullest. She was a constant source of strength, and she tackled every challenge with her head held high. There was nothing that brought Karen greater joy than spending time with her friends and family, and she deeply cherished every moment. Her love for those around her was limitless, exemplified in the way she went above and beyond to serve others in her home, her classroom, and her community – with a special knack for making all feel welcome. Already so greatly missed, Karen will be forever remembered.

On September 19, 1963, Sam and Carol Taylor, a young couple living in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, joyously announced the birth of their baby girl, Karen. Little did they know the joy and pride they would experience as this little spitfire became the center of attention in almost every room she entered – brave and confident.

Growing up, Karen enjoyed a typical childhood of the 1970s. She spent her formative years being raised in the family home in Ashburnham alongside her sister, Kathleen. Karen’s father, Sam, worked in the paper industry as a chemist while her mother, Carol, was a dedicated stay-at-home mom. Of course, the Taylor family was not complete without their two beloved pets, a dog Miauk and a cat, Snookie. From a young age, Karen was a bundle of energy. She was known to get into her share of mischief and once embellished the living room, using scissors along the wooden cabinet’s edge that needed a “design,” and another episode using lipstick to decorate the walls of the garage.

As children, Karen and her sister, Kath, were together a lot. They would spend many hours running wild outside. The sisters loved playing with their Barbies on the front lawn, sledding in the winter, and playing school, with Kath as the principal and Karen the teacher whose class every kid wanted to be in. The Hillandale neighborhood was very close-knit, one full of friends. She and one of her best friends, Susan Coswell, would play hide-and-seek, nurture pet acorns, and pretend to be grown-ups with fake cigarettes in their handbags. Karen attended local schools and loved every second of it. Her confident and bold nature made her very popular, and she took every chance to be the center of attention. When Karen was in high school, the Taylors moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, which, to a teen, seemed at the time to be a terrible idea - but in time, she found her people in her new high school. Her personable nature ensured that.

As Karen prepared to step into her future and pursue further education, she initially began to follow in her father’s footsteps, with whom she shared a close bond, and become a chemist in the paper business. However, she soon decided that path was not meant for her. Inspired by her avid love for reading, Karen chose to switch her major to education. She worked hard to become a teacher and celebrated earning her degree and joining her friends for some fun at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She would ultimately later earn her Master's in Education at Western Michigan University. Around this time, Karen’s father was transferred to work at a paper company in Plainwell, Michigan. Karen followed along for a summer job and ended up working in the sample room.

It was through her work at the paper company that Karen met her future mother-in-law, “Peachie.” The two had so much fun working together, and Peachie quickly felt comfortable introducing Karen to her sons. Karen soon found herself spending time with the man who would soon become the love of her life, Chad Jansheski. The two often hung out and went to the movies, and their relationship blossomed. Karen and Chad both ended up taking jobs as teachers at Kalamazoo Public Schools, and the rest was history. The couple would go on to spend many wonderful years of marriage together.

Before long, Karen’s family began to grow as she and Chad welcomed their two beloved children, Tristen and Taylor, into their hearts and home. Since Karen was such a huge fan of Brad Pitt, their son, Tristen, was actually named after the hero in Legends of the Fall. Taylor was named after her maiden name. Karen thrived in her role as a mother, and her kids were her greatest pride and joy. She cheered Tristen and Taylor on in all that they did, from sports to education. Karen nurtured Taylor’s love for running. She inspired Tristen to follow in her footsteps and become a teacher, and instilled in Taylor the importance of higher education, encouraging her to lead.

As both a teacher and a lifelong learner, Karen was extremely smart, especially in math. She was also an excellent writer and a voracious reader, which she inherited from her mother. Karen enjoyed traveling and going on Caribbean cruises. The beach in South Haven was one of her favorite places to be, and she loved searching for beach glass and soaking up the sun. The family was also able to enjoy spending time on their boat in South Haven, forming many wonderful memories over the past 10 years. She always enjoyed playing games with friends and family and was competitive at heart. She had a contagious laugh that brought smiles and brightness to every room.

Thanks to her hospitality, everyone was always welcome at the Jansheski home. Her ability to plan and execute a delicious meal was enjoyed by most who spent time in their home. There was nothing she couldn’t make! Some of her specialties included goulash, beef stroganoff, and cheesecake. Karen was a fashionista with a bold, unique sense of style that perfectly captured her lively spirit. She loved thrifting and always made sure she was looking her best with all the right accessories, especially her jewelry!

As friends and family gather to reflect on the overflowing life of Karen Jansheski, it is easy to celebrate a woman who treated others with such gentleness and generous, unconditional love. She was always the first to pour her time and energy into caring for those around her. Family was the focus of Karen’s life, and as a devoted wife and mother, she took every chance to hold her loved ones close. Her zest for life was insatiable, and her kindness was limitless. Although life will not be the same without our Momma J here, she leaves behind a priceless legacy of compassion and selfless service that her family and friends will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Karen Jansheski, Age 62, died on March 23, 2026. Karen was born September 19, 1963, in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, to Carol and Samuel Taylor. Karen was a devoted educator and a woman who lived life with warmth and heart. A proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she dedicated 32 years to teaching in Kalamazoo Public Schools, shaping countless lives with her passion and care. Beyond the classroom, Karen’s greatest joy was her family and friends, whether gathered at home or spending time at her happy place in South Haven. She found peace in reading, sunshine, and the simple beauty of the beach, where she could truly relax and be herself. She was preceded in death by her father. Surviving are her husband Chad Jansheski; son Tristen Jansheski and daughter Taylor Jansheski; mother Carol Taylor; sister Kathleen Taylor Johnson, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Visitation on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900 where food, drinks, and stories can be shared. Celebrate Karen’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial donations may be made to The Karen Jansheski Memorial Education Fund, https://bit.ly/KarenJansheskiMemorialEducationFund.