Obituary of Karen Barbara Mayes

Karen Barbara Jentzen was born on February 22, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan. She was one of two children born from the union of the late Bernard Jentzen and the late Elleanore (Begin) Jentzen. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1975 and went on to become a Certified Nurses Aid.

Karen married the love of her life Robert Daniel “Dan” Mayes on July 19, 1980 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe.  Karen and Dan were blessed with five children.  Karen worked as a cook at Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools for 16 years, retiring in 2015. She was very active at her church, St. Michael the Archangel, as a Eucharistic Minister as well as assisting at numerous parish fundraisers. Karen was a past president and member of the Irish Catholic Ladies Association of Monroe for 10 years. She was also a member of the Frenchtown Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary for 12 years. Karen always put her family before herself, and was a guiding force, in a gentle way, for her children. The door was always open for everyone, so much so that many referred to her as their second mom.

Karen enjoyed cooking, entertaining and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a hard worker but was never looking for the credit. Karen is remembered by her family as a great mom who was caring, kind and accepting of all.

Karen Barbara Mayes, age 61, of Monroe passed away on September 28, 2018. Her passing was preceded by her parents.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her husband of 38 years, Robert “Dan” Mayes; five children, Robert Daniel (Monique) Mayes Jr. of Angola, IN, Nicole Eleanore (Jason) Clark of Monroe, Morgan Ann Mayes of Monroe, Megan Ann Mayes of Monroe and Stephan Eugene Mayes of Chicago IL; her sister, Deborah Tomecek of Newport; six grandchildren, Scottie Yensch, Karlie Clark, Liam Mayes, Beckett Mayes, Elleanore Dionne and Emerson Mayes as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Friends may gather on Wednesday, October  3, 2018 from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. A Mass of Resurrection will take place on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 11:00am, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 502 W. Front Street (734) 241-8645.

Memorials are suggested to LAOH Mary of the Gael. Online guests may leave words of comfort and inspiration, share a photo, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com.