Karen (Acuna) Clemens

Karen Clemens of Tucson, AZ.

Karen Clemens (Acuna) grew up in the Milwood neighborhood and attended Kalamazoo Central High School. She met the love of her life, Robert E. Clemens in 10th grade and they were inseparable ever since - graduating together in 1961; marrying at St. Therese Parish in Wayland, Michigan in 1964; and moving together to Tucson in 1987 after their children finished high school.

She graduated as a registered nurse from Borgess School of Nursing in 1964 and worked in the field until 1996 - usually in charge nurse management positions.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert E. Clemens; her son Paul Clemens; her daughter Shirley Griffin (Anthony): her sister Donna Mather (Richard); and of course her beloved German Shepherd, Shadow.

She was preceded in death by her father, Louis F. Acuna, her mother, Gertrude Acuna (Boeshaar); siblings Robert Acuna; Jean Wank; and Nancy Acuna.

As the middle of five children of a 1st generation Mexican immigrant, she was always curious about her heritage and took every opportunity to be friendly with people who would enchant her with stories about life in Mexico.

Karen loved dogs and she trained two of them – Duke and Shadow – as service dogs, which made her day-to-day living more comfortable.

She was an avid reader of mysteries, and enjoyed suspense movies and stories about dogs and animals. Everyone who met her received her kindness and graceful affection. She was outgoing and very conversational. She loved wearing her Detroit Red Wings t-shirts as a conversation starter with people who would reminisce with her about her beautiful home state of Michigan.

She was a woman of strong will and fierce determination who never let life's many obstacles stand in the way of her goals. Her strength and determination will live on in her children and she will be missed by all who knew her.

She may be remembered with donations to Paws of Honor pawsofhonor.org