Karen Ruth Wilkin, of Chase, passed away quietly on March 24, 2025, at her residence.  She was 74.

She was born October 31, 1950 in Reed City to Wendell and Ruth (Nordeen) Simonton and was a 1969 graduate of Pine River High School.  She was raised on a farm in LeRoy and taught the value of hard work, which served her well as a homemaker and caregiver.  Over the course of her lifetime, and in addition to living in Michigan, she lived in Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky, and on three different military bases in Germany. 

She enjoyed softball, bowling, and caring for her flower beds and houseplants.  

Karen is survived by her husband Mark Wilkin; her children Chris Backstrom and Sherry (Jeff) Neimi; brothers Craig (Brenda) Simonton and James Simonton; step-children Mark Alan Wilkin, Jr. and Renee Kim (Brian) Rehkopf; grandchildren Sarah Neimi, Matthew Neimi, Mark Alan Wilkin III, Reagan Rehkopf, Maloree Rehkopf, and Hannah Kaverman.  She was preceded in death by her parents Wendell and ruth Simonton; and her sister Nancy Roose.

Services may be planned for a future date.