Karen Lee Guiney, 45, of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday,  August 10, 2022.

She was born August 6th, 1977, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Roger and Mary Kay (Sherry) Guiney. Karen grew up in Pine Ridge subdivision and attended Big Rapids Public Schools throughout her K-12 career. She was a hardworking, diligent student who eventually graduated at the top of her class in 1995. Karen studied accounting at Western Michigan University and graduated in 1999. She later earned an MBA from Central Michigan University. Karen began her accounting career at Crowe Chizek in Grand Rapids. While she worked for several firms throughout her career, she spent the majority of it working for Roger Guiney, C.P.A. 

Karen's passions during her formative years were ice skating and running. She was a member of the Big Rapids Figure Skating Club for many years, and was an accomplished runner who was part of the 1992 BRHS state championship cross country team and its record setting two-mile relay team.

Karen was an active member of the Big Rapids Jaycees and St. Paul's Campus Parish. She taught figure skating for the BRFSC, and for a short while was an adjunct faculty at FSU. In her free time, Karen enjoyed baking, reading, and exercising. Karen was loved and will be missed by her family.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Kay Guiney. Karen is survived by her father Roger Guiney (Denise) of Big Rapids; her sister Catherine Guiney Smith (Matthew) of Grand Rapids; and her brothers Brian Guiney (Marty) of Traverse City and Jeff Guiney (Diana) of Petoskey.  

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at St. Paul’s Campus Parish in Big Rapids, with Father Lam Le as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Karen’s family will greet friends from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, August 18, 2022, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and after 10:00 a.m. on Friday at St. Paul’s.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made for National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) or Newaygo County Compassion Home of Fremont, MI. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Jeffrey C. (Asplund) Steury, 63, of Suttons Bay, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, August 6, 2022.    

Jeff came into the world on February 25, 1959, in Ann Arbor, MI and grew up in Big Rapids, MI on the family farm on Townline Lake.  He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1977.   After graduation, Jeff lived in Southern California before moving to his beloved state of Minnesota, where he earned a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota St Paul.

Jeff spent his career as a biochemist and guru consultant where he actively developed programming and process automation for several bio-tech companies in the Midwest and East Coast.

For the last several years, Jeff resided in Suttons Bay, MI where he developed and nurtured long lasting friendships, stimulating debates, and fireworks shows with many in the Leelanau Peninsula community.  Jeff was an avid admirer of nature, a frequent scolder of conspiracy theories, and a good friend to all. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Jeff is survived by his mother Ann Steury of Hersey, MI; sister Beth Asplund of Evart, MI; brother Nate Asplund of Pittsburgh, PA; two nieces Sophie and Karen Asplund of Pittsburgh, PA and Jacksonville, FL; his father Charles Asplund of Muskegon, MI; and the Thom Steury family of Mission Viejo, CA.

Friends and family will be hosting a remembrance for Jeff at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 12, 2022, at Tandem Ciders,  2055 North Setterbo Road, Suttons Bay, MI. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Phillip Lee Jensen, 65, of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Phil was born August 8, 1956, in Cadillac, MI, the twin son of Henry C. Jr. and Joan (Foster) Jensen. The family moved to Big Rapids in 1960, and he graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1974.

In his life, Phil did many different jobs – and most of them involved being outside. Among other things, he was a groundskeeper at the Meceola Country Club, he worked for Rieth-Reily doing asphalt work, and he was a general contractor, building decks and doing home remodels. Phil was an incredibly gifted golfer, and an avid hunter and fishermen. Friends and neighbors will long remember the lunches he would cater for Hospice of Michigan, the bags of goodies – baked and canned – that he would make up and deliver at Christmas, and his infamous caramel corn. Most recently, his greatest joy was reconnecting with his daughter.

Phil is survived by his daughter Rev. Christina Jensen; his son Johnathan Jensen; the mother of his children Sandy Jensen; sisters-in-law Jackie Jensen and Sherrie (Wayne) Vaughn; stepmother Eleanor Jensen; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, son William Jensen, identical twin brother Steve Jensen, his second wife Cindy Jensen, and many other dear friends.

A Celebration of Phil’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, August 8, 2022, at The Buff, 7470 Northland Dr, Stanwood. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Kinde Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 8, Kinde, MI 48445. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.