Karen Ann Maxa

     Karen Ann Maxa, age 69, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Monday, June 2, 2025, at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, MI.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with Rev. Fr. Andizej Boroch presiding. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI. A Rosary will be prayed Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elba Township, MI at a later date.
     Karen was born in St. Johns, Michigan on March 5, 1956, the daughter of John Steve and Lena Elizabeth (Sedlar) Fabus. She graduated from Fulton High School, with class of 1974. Karen married Richard John Maxa, Sr. on September 27, 1975, at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI.
     Karen had a love for all things Mickey Mouse. She filled all of the rooms in their home with something Disney. She enjoyed doing word searches, playing euchre, and other card games. Karen and Richard liked riding around in their 1964 Ford Fairlane with their "kids" Mickey & Minnie. She loved camping and fishing trips to Rainbow Lake & Drummond Island. Karen was a very supportive mom and grammie and could often be found at any event the kids were involved in. Her family was most important to her; she treasured time spent with them and was always there when you needed her. She was a devout catholic and was a member of St. Cyril's Catholic Church Bannister, MI.
     She is survived by her husband Richard Maxa, Sr.; her children: Erica (Jary) Fox, Richard (Nicole) Maxa, Jr., and Amanda (Brad Schneider) Maxa; grandchildren Katelyn (Justin) Fox, Emma (Robert Sorah) Fox, Hunter Maxa, Dylan Maxa, Morgan (Hunter Wonsey) Douglass, and Logan (Tori Dennis) Douglass; her sister Marie (Jerry) Skaryd; her brother Jerry (Janet) Fabus; sister-in-law Audrey Fabus; sister-in-law Diane (Jim) Korienek; and brother-in-law Lloyd Dougherty. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: John Fabus, Tom Fabus, in-laws: Jim and Martha Maddix, Dorothy Dougherty, and Marianne Ward.
     Memorials may be made to the Elsie Area Food Pantry or Make a Wish Foundation. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.