Karen Louise Struble

Karen Struble ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Bobcean Funeral Home, Carleton on Mar. 10, 2026.Karen (Vandecar) Struble, age 76, of Carleton, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 9th, 2026. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, teacher, musician, gardener, and friend - and she did it all with equal parts heart, wit, and faith, yet just the right amount of spice; feisty as ever, even at the end.For 37 years, she taught music then 6th-grade math at North Middle School in Belleville, shaping countless young minds (and occasionally humbling them in long division). She was even tutoring during chemo treatments! A passionate educator, she had a gift for making numbers - and life - make sense.Music was her second language and lifelong calling. As the music director and organist at Willow United Methodist Church for an astonishing 55 years, she filled the sanctuary with hymns that could move both soul and spirit. Her dedication to the church's music ministry was both a service and a joy. One of her top goals at the end was to play the piano on Sundays again!When she wasn't teaching or playing, you could find her out on the golf course with her ladies' league - for over 20 years - or knocking down pins at the bowling alley, or playing cards on Wednesdays, usually with a laugh and a competitive smirk. She was also a proud lifelong member of the Carleton VFW Auxiliary, where she treasured the camaraderie and sense of community as deeply as her rounds of golf.At home, she was happiest with her hands in the garden or in the kitchen, canning shelves of fruits and vegetables - her pantry was a testament to patience and pride, she loved showing everyone pictures of it! And if the Detroit Lions, Tigers, or any team from Michigan State University (Go Green!) were on, you can bet she was watching, cheering them on with eternal optimism (and maybe a few choice words when they blew a lead). She usually referred to Sunday's being for Jesus and Football!A widow for two decades, she carried both love and independence with grace. Her flower garden was her sanctuary, but she was never more proud than when she was showing off a pantry full of perfectly canned fruits and vegetables - every jar a little masterpiece of patience and care.Above all, she was the heartbeat of her family. She adored her daughters and granddaughters and did everything possible to make their worlds a little brighter, their loads a little lighter, and their hearts full. To the end, she never stopped helping.She leaves behind her daughters: Julie Hammill (Jamie) and Lauren Makley (Nick); stepdaughter Dawn Cook (Tim LaFlair); grandchildren: Gabby Tilley, Olivia Tilley, Tayah Hammill, Brady Makley, Chase Makley; siblings: Kay Villa (Bill), Rick Vandecar (Julie), Dan Vandecar (Amy), who will all continue to feel her love in every song, every jar, every blooming flower, and every moment they laugh through their tears.She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles Struble; her parents, Leland and Cora Vandecar; her sister, Karla Clark; and her beloved grandmother, Fanny Vandecar.Public visitation will be at Bobcean Funeral Home in Carleton (1142 Monroe St, Carleton) Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 5-8pm and Friday, March 13, 2026 from 10am-12pm, with service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Willow United Methodist Church.Her life was a beautiful melody - one that will keep playing in all who knew her."I can see clearly now-what a wonderful world"To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.