Karen Lee (Briggs) Kirkland passed with family by her side at home on May 1, 2026, in Fennville, MI. Karen, Aka “Grandma Korn” was born to her late parents Elised and Doris (Morris) Briggs on May 22, 1942, in Muskegon, MI.

After graduating from Reeths-Puffer High School, she married the love of her life, Dale Curtis Kirkland Sr. and shared 43 years of marriage together. Karen started working at Socks Galore, becoming the manager, and also volunteering at the thrift store in Hog Valley, Florida. Karen enjoyed gardening, crocheting and painting ceramics. She had a love for reptiles and her dog “Chief”. Karen loved her family and treasured them greatly. Her favorite memories were spent with everyone at “Camp Wafakawee”, their cabin in Baldwin before selling it.

She is survived by her children, Denise Kirkland, Charles and Lori Kirkland, Dennace and Tammy Kirkland, Doris and Herb Forker, and stepson Dale Kirkland Jr; grandchildren, Stephanie and Ed Adams, William and Danielle Kirkland, Samantha and Shane Farnsworth, Herb and Samantha Forker, Andrea and Avery Bouwman, Chelsey and Mike Bosscher, Jordan Kirkland, Kourtney Kirkland, Daniel Webster, Samuel Kirkland and Katreena Kirkland; and great-grandchildren, Zepplin, Zack, Dean, Lincoln, Harper, Scarlett, Weston, Silvin, also her sister Judy and Larry Wright.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Marty Kirkland and her brother Ike Briggs.