Karen was born on December 31, 1938, in Tecumseh, MI, the daughter of Chester A. and Macy H. (Cummings) Beach. On June 15, 1957, she married the love of her life, Thomas W. Schultz of Adrian, MI. Karen and Tom started ministering in 1978, pastoring at Norvell Baptist Church until starting Word of Life Fellowship in 1979. Tom passed away in 1998, and Karen continued to pastor there until 2000. Karen remarried on April 18, 2004, to John A. Magill. John and Karen became faithful members of Lifehouse ministries in Tipton, MI.
Karen’s life was defined by love. She had a great love and passion for sharing her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Karen also had a love for hospitality, and her home was always open and welcoming to gather and fellowship. She had a great love for all people and especially for her beloved family, including her golden retriever, Esther.
She embraced teaching and being an educator. Karen founded Word of Life Christian School where she mentored many children and young adults in their educational formation. Karen was involved in the lives of her many foster children and grandchildren.
Karen is survived by her children, Tonnie (John) Sprague, Victoria “Vicki” Schultz, Daniel (Linda) Schultz, Darcie (Scott) Row, and Samantha (Brett) Tipton; stepsons, Matthew Magill and Micah Magill; 24 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren; brother, James (Gabrielle) Beach; a niece and nephew; and more than 75 foster grandchildren. In addition to her husbands, Tom and John, she was preceded in death by her parents and a bonus son, Jamie Wooten.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, with Pastor Brian Grothe of Lifehouse Ministries officiating. Inurnment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Family will be receiving friends from 10 a.m. until the service begins at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Lifehouse Ministries, Tipton, MI or to Restoration Church (formerly Word of Life Fellowship) in Brooklyn, MI.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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