Karen Dawne Herrick

Karen Dawne (Michalak) Herrick, age 75, of Allendale, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 19, 2020. She was born on November 16, 1944, to the late Stanley and Gertrude Michalak of Allendale.   Karen was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Bill Herrick. She is survived by her son, Billy (Ann) Herrick and their children, Amber (J.J.) Schmidt, Dustin Herrick, Brittany (Rick) Brown, Whittney Herrick, Danielle (Brandon) Van Wyck, Aaron (Samantha) Neese, and Riley Neese-Lamar; and daughters, Tammy Hamlin and her children, Angelina, Luke, Shyanne, Zack and Autumn; Marcey Tejeda and her children, Andrew (Amanda) Ottenwess, Domenic and Damian Tejeda; Julie (Curt) VanderHart, and their children, Bryce, Joslyn, and Brendan; and her grandsons, Cory (Tiffany) Jennings, and Jerome (Rose) Jennings. She was dearly loved by her 20 grandchildren and her 36 great-grandchildren. Karen is also survived by her siblings, Davey Michalak, Lynda (Roger) Modderman, Stevie (Deanna) Michalak, Kathy (Bob) Smith, Suzy Balke, Joey (Sue) Michalak, Debi Wagner, and Julie VanderWall; her siblings-in-law, Maurice (Deb) Herrick, Sue Herrick, and Pastor John (Laural) Herrick; family friends, Paul VanderPloeg, and Patrick Spear; and many special nieces and nephews.  Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Gertrude Michalak; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Howard and Johanna Herrick; grandson, Brandon Schmidt; siblings, Lois Michalak, Stanley Michalak, Shirley Havens, Donna Deering, and Timmy Michalak; sister-in-law, Betty Jo Michalak; brothers-in-law, Howard Herrick, David Balke; nieces, Trudy Marlette, Sheryl Raye Hesser, and Missy Michalak; and nephews, Randy Modderman, Danny Wydeck, and Benjamin Janes.  Karen was raised in a large family with 13 siblings. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports, as she was their biggest fan. Karen also loved driving her 1930 Model A Hot Rod, while listening to Elvis Presley and drinking Coca-Cola. She was one of the original members of The Runaways Car Club.  Karen had a deep faith in God, and her love and kindness was felt by everyone that knew her.  She will be deeply missed.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, June  22, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Life Stream Church, 6561 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, with Pastor John Herrick officiating.  Burial at the Allendale Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Sunday, June 21, from 5-8 p.m. at Life Stream Church and on Monday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Mary Free Bed Foundation or The Amazing Reading Bus in honor of the teachers at Allendale Public Schools who called her Grandma Karen.