Obituary of Karen Louise Palmer

Karen L. Palmer, 64, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. She was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on October 21, 1956, to Robert and Violet (Skidmore) Miller. On May 6, 1978, she married Leland Palmer at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Niles. That union was blessed with two children. In 2005, Karen began driving bus for the Tri-County Headstart Program. She wasn’t a woman who needed much to make her happy, it wasn’t the label on her clothing, it wasn’t the car she drove, and fancy things didn’t impress her. Karen found great enjoyment in life’s simple pleasures. She loved the time with her family, and a favorite vacation spot was Central Lake just north of Traverse City where they enjoyed many camping trips. She made sure the meals were cooked, the campfire was going, and everyone had a good time. Karen was a no-nonsense, tell it like it is, kind of woman. You didn’t have to wonder what she was thinking, she would certainly tell you and she didn’t beat around the bush. She simply told it like it was. Karen was very stubborn at times, you couldn’t convince her to do anything that she wasn’t in favor of. If you heard her raise her voice and exclaim, “Oh, hell no!” you knew that was the end of the conversation. She took great pride in taking care of her family and she was fiercely protective of her children; taking on any teacher, administrator, or perceived bully, to defend them, though little in stature Karen could go toe to toe with anyone messing with her family, especially her children. As tough as Karen was she had such a soft spot for children. She drove a bus for over fifteen years for the Tri-County Head Start and those children all found a place in Karen’s heart. She was preceded in death by her father Robert Miller; and her brother, Ron Grahl. Karen is survived by her husband, Leland Palmer of Niles; son, Nathan (Mandy) Palmer of Three Rivers; daughter, Sarah Palmer of Niles; grandsons; Chase, Carson, Christopher, and Nathan; her mother, Violet Gillis of Niles; sister, Dorothy Uhl of Sullivan Missouri; brothers, Jerry Grahl of South Bend; Scott Grahl of South Bend; along with several nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather for a time of visitation on Friday, September 10, 2021, from noon until 2:00 PM, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St. Niles, Michigan. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Karen’s family will miss the way she insisted on taking care of everyone, her laugh, and yes even her stubbornness. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.