Karen Lynn Yardley
Karen Lynn Yardley
SKANDIA TOWNSHIP, MI – Karen Lynn Yardley, age 64, passed away Sunday, October 16th, 2022, at home, in the loving, comforting care of her family, following a long, courageous battle with Lupus and Pancreatic Cancer.
Born May 11th, 1958, in Janesville, Wisconsin, a daughter of Roger and Lucille (Ewald) Larson, Karen was raised in Gladstone where she enjoyed swimming across Lake Michigan at the Gladstone beach. She graduated from Gladstone High School, Class of 1976, married, had two children, and relocated to Marquette.
After raising her children, Karen worked for a time in retail at WalMart. Karen later remarried and she and husband, Bill Yardley, moved to Kansas for seventeen years. Karen and Bill eventually returned to the Skandia area to be closer to her children and grandchildren and to also build Karen’s dream home. Gentle and compassionate, Karen enjoyed being involved in life. She loved the country life, bird watching, loved to travel, and went on many cruises. She was a talented cook, created homemade greeting cards, and was a verified eBay seller. However, it was her grandchildren that brought her the greatest fulfillment.
A loving wife, mother, grandma, sister, and aunt, Karen is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Yardley; her children, Amanda (Jeremy) Ouellette of Champion and Justin (Katie) Godfrey of Marquette; her grandchildren, Dylan (Julia) Burgess of California; Ethan (Katlyn) Ouellette of Ishpeming, Ivan and Jackson Ouellette of Champion, Chase Burgess, Erin Kyle, Ava Godfrey, Noah Godfrey, and Madyson Godfrey all of Marquette; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Jr, and Dani Burgess; with an expected great-grandson on the way; her father, Roger Larson of Gladstone; her sisters, Sue Robitaille of Gladstone and Nancy Dillabough of Escanaba; mother-in-law, Esther Yardley and brother-in-law, David Yardley and family both of St. Joseph, MI; several nieces and nephews; many friends, including best friends, Cindy and Diane.
Karen was preceded in death by her mother; and a brother-in-law, Michael Yardley.
Honoring Karen’s request, the family will honor her memory privately.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.