Karen Lynn (Podgorny) Napier

Karen Lynn (Podgorny) Napier, 53, of Battle Creek died peacefully at home on April 14, 2018.

Karen was born April 1, 1965 in Harvey, Illinois to Michael J. and Ruth Anne (Jackson) Podgorny. In 1975, Karen moved with her mother Ruth (Podgorny) Zentera and step-father Edward Zentera from Illinois to Michigan. She graduated from Pennfield High School in 1983 and then attended Kellogg Community College. Karen lived in Grand Rapids and was a manager at Diet Center and then moved to Chicago and was employed as a paralegal. In Battle Creek she was employed by Market Day Corporation as a marketing representative assisting schools regionally, including the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools, with fund raising campaigns.

Karen Lynn Podgorny married Gary Stephen Napier on November 5, 1994 at St. John Catholic Church in Glenwood, Illinois. Surviving are her husband, Gary; daughter, Rachel Mae Napier of Battle Creek, now attending Grand Valley State University; her parents, Ruth and Edward Zentera of Battle Creek; siblings, Felicia (Joe Kohn) Blitstein of Orland Park, IL, Vicki Nieto of Matteson, IL, Edward (Melanie) Zentera, II of Troy, MI, Brian Zentera of Battle Creek; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Michael J. Podgorny and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. George Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Podgorny.

Karen loved music and attending a variety of musical and rock concerts. She also enjoyed reading, and scrapbooking. Karen will be remembered as a fun-loving bubbly personality, and a devoted mother. Karen was faith filled.

Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. John D. Fleckenstein at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018. Interment will be held at Ft Custer National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in memory of Karen to the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.