A Life Story

We lovingly remember Karen Van Lenten Harris, who passed away peacefully onSeptember 14 at the age of 76. Karen had a deep Christian faith and used her talents toserve God's kingdom on earth: musically, in teaching, in church, and in the communitiesin which she lived. Karen was a dedicated schoolteacher, a talented pianist andorganist, and a kind soul.Karen earned a BA in Music Education from Glassboro State Teacher's College and aM.Ed. from University of Arizona. She taught middle school music and elementaryeducation in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Over the years she was a church organist andchoir member at her home churches.Karen crocheted and gifted more afghans than we can count! She loved crafting andvolunteered frequently both in her home churches and communities over the years tomake hats for hospital newborns, wash cloths and socks for the military, preparebackpacks for kids going back to school and many other projects. She volunteered toteach ELS to adults and was always eager to be helpful to someone in need. Some ofher favorite things to do were spending time with family, visiting with friends, and singingin her church choir.We all admired Karen's strength in the face of her long term health challenges. She metthem with faith, courage, and determination.She is survived by her husband Richard Harris; her daughter and son-in-law Daria andKevin Miller and her granddaughters Lilly and Penny; son Joseph Mazar; her step-daughter Susan and her husband Vance Reyes and their sons Joseph and Michael; step-sonRichie and his wife Courtney and their daughters Mattie and Elisabeth; her brother andhis wife, Bruce and Marcia Van Lenten; sister Marty and her husband Joseph Becker;sister Jaye Van Lenten and her partner Janette Tazzia; her nieces and nephews Erikaand Orrin Barnhart, Dennis and Ellis; Dena and Chris Renda, Megan and Sara; Bradand Maria Van Lenten, Addie and Braydon; and several cousins. She was predeceasedby her parents, Bart and Inez Van Lenten.In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the music ministries at White BluffMethodist Church at 11911 White Bluff Road, Savannah.Visitation at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at White Bluff Methodist Church, 1911 White Bluff Rd, Savannah, GA 31419, followed by a Celebration of Karen's life at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday September 18th , Karen's 77th birthday.