Karen Jean Posa

Karen entered this world as the third daughter of William James Drinkwater and Sylvia Jean (Steptoe) on March 8th, 1952, being born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She joined her two older sisters Judy (Tom) Gill and Janet (Tom) Burke and later became the older sister of Kristine (John) Leary.

Karen grew up living on the west side of Detroit and attended the Detroit public schools, graduating from Henry Ford High School. She continued her education by receiving a teaching degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in school administration from Wayne State University.

She married her husband Michael Craig Posa in 1975. She worked as a middle school teacher and principal in Detroit. After retiring they moved to the family farm near Mayville, Michigan and then to Lone Tree, Colorado.

Always adventurous, Karen loved to travel. She enjoyed getting out of the snow and cold and spent parts of many winters on beaches in Florida, California and Texas. Her last big excursion was to Egypt and Jordan in the fall of 2025.

Her love of food led her to countless new restaurants, and she had a sixth sense that would lead her directly to the nearest bakery for donuts and coffee.

Karen passed away on May 11, 2026, in Colorado and was preceded in death by her parents, sister Judy, and husband Michael. Her wish would be that you not make a monetary donation in her name, but rather you find a new place to travel, to eat at a new restaurant, or go for donuts.