Karen Lee Gracey

Karen Lee Gracey of Caro, age 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026. She was born on October 18, 1937, the daughter of the late Robert Gracey and Shirley McCaslin of Cass City. At the age of ten, her stepfather, Lee Rabideau, became a guiding presence in her life. Karen was a member of Cass City High School’s graduating Class of 1955.

Karen was married to Gary Parsell for thirty-eight years and a stay-at-home mom to their three children until 1966 when she began working in the dental office of Samuel Sinchak, D.D.S.

Karen was an accomplished seamstress, teaching the Bishop Sewing Method at Caro Schools Adult Education. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she was employed at the Human Development Commission, Head Start Program, a social worker at Caro Community Hospital, and did vocational training and career assessment at Kingston’s Teen Ranch and the Tuscola County Tech Center.

While raising her three children, she served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and also led The Hoof Printers, a 4-H group. Karen was a woman of deep faith and had a special relationship with God. The Bible study that gave birth to The Living Waters Chapel in Caro started around her dining room table.

Karen married Douglas Breeding in 2004, and they remained together until his passing in 2008.

Left to cherish many fond memories of Karen are her children, Dawn (Steve) Strachan, Lian (Roger) Parsell, and Troy (Anne) Parsell; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann Stanley; and brother, Richard Gracey. In addition to her parents and husband, Karen was preceded in death by a sister, Lynnea Rabideau Matthews.

In keeping with Karen’s wishes, interment has taken place at the Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City.