Karen Tubesing

Karen was born on June 10, 1941 in a farmhouse in Sawyer County, near Hayward, Wisconsin. Karen was the second of seven children to Ed and Hermina Wood. She grew up in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, then graduated from high school in Meservey, Iowa. Karen was the mother of three children, Lane Bowers of Snyder, Texas, Mathew Bowers of Delta, British Columbia, and Kristine Burkwood of Chesterland, Ohio. Karen married her husband, Charles Tubesing, on May 20, 1979.

As a lifelong learner, she received her Master of Science in Botany / Biological Sciences in 1975 from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. She did research and taught at the University of Oklahoma and Kansas State University, and later managed plant records at Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. After moving to British Columbia in 1980, she was employed as a research technician at the University of British Columbia. In 1986, she moved to Ohio where she worked at the VA and Case Western Reserve University in research. She obtained her nursing degree from Huron Road Hospital where she worked after graduation. She retired from Hillcrest Hospital in 2008.

Karen enjoyed reading, word games, solving crosswords, and mysteries. She played a mean game of Scrabble and Words with Friends. Karen was the family storyteller. Known to be a great listener, she always offered emotional support and encouragement when needed.

Karen is survived by her husband Charles of 47 years, her three children: Lane Bowers, Mathew (Barbara) Bowers, and Kristine (Maureen) Burkwood, seven grandchildren: Landon, Kevin, Katie, Ryan, Hayden, Robin and Spencer, six great grandchildren: Stryder, Karlee, Dax, Raylea, Isabelle, and Sadie, two brothers: Roger and Greg Wood, several cherished sisters- and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 11:00 AM, Monday, July 13th, 2026 at East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 10848 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, OH 44094.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Karen’s honor to Reserve Care Hospice 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110, a local food bank or no-kill pet rescue near you.