Karen  Barthel

Obituary of Karen Jeanette Barthel

Karen Jeanette Barthel, 63, of Gulfport FL, passed away on July 1, 2020.  Karen Jeanette (O’Dell) Barthel was born June 29th, 1957 in Pontiac, MI to Lawrence E. and Bettie Jeanette O’Dell.  In her childhood hometown of Port Huron MI, she met her beloved husband, David Cooper Barthel, and they relocated to St. Petersburg, FL.  In Florida, Karen and David met many lifelong friends and island hopped via sailboat through the Caribbean Sea as David was a master captain.  In 1992, they had their only son, Alexander Emil Barthel.  Alex was the light of Karen’s life.  She was a loving mother, soccer/basketball fan, fort builder, and an avid adventurer through the mountains, lakes, and creeks of western North Carolina where Alex was raised.  

Karen dedicated her array of talents to professions she found deeply rewarding: a medical assistant in St. Petersburg FL; human resource manager for the non-profit organizations Enola Group and Repay in Morganton, NC and Pinellas County Job Corps in St. Petersburg, FL; and as a family and community mediator at the Confliction Resolution Center in Morganton.  Her enthusiasm for art and advocacy led her to manage an art gallery in Morganton that served as a studio for local artists with developmental disabilities.  Karen had a passion for helping people whether it was her job, or she felt like it was the right thing to do; she always lent a listening ear and gave excellent advice.  This quality of character is what made her a loving and caring mother, wife, sister, aunt, and a cherished friend.  Karen had many good times and made lasting memories with her dear friends who were family.  She loved searching for shells on Pass-A-Grille beach, getting her hands dirty in the garden passing along plants, shopping at local arts and crafts fairs, and watching sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico with those she loved.  Karen was a giving and creative soul who radiated a light of happiness, love, and courage to whoever she was with.  Karen Jeanette Barthel will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all who knew her. 

Karen is loved, admired, and survived by her husband of 35 years, David C. Barthel and son Alex E. Barthel of Gulfport, FL; three siblings Robert (Roxanne) O’Dell of Port Huron, MI; Lynne O’Dell of Port Huron, MI and Mary (William) Cassidy of Atlanta, MI; her aunt Kathleen Orr of Casper, WY; her mother-in-law Elaine Barthel of Port Huron, MI; Doug (Marianne) Barthel of Metamora, MI; Rebecca Barthel of San Jose, CA; Kathleen (Michael) Hindes of Smyrna, GA; Dan Barthel of Port Huron, MI; and many extended family members and friends who were like family.  A celebration of Karen’s life will be held at a later date.  Although flowers are beautiful, thoughtful and appreciated, please consider in lieu a donation to www.alz.org.

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