Karen Madeline (Bowlzer) Geist passed away February 28, 2024 at Van Crest Nursing Home surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born in Akron, Ohio on June 11, 1938 to the late Adelbert "Dell" & Nina (Corkhill) Bowlzer. On September 10, 1960, Karen married her high school sweetheart, Richard Earl "Dick" Geist, who passed on November 4, 2021.

Survivors include daughters Barbara Eileen Geist, Celina; and Susan Elizabeth (Geist) Brinkman, Elida; son-in-law Charles Thomas Brinkman; and grandson Ian Richard Brinkman.

Karen graduated from Celina High School in 1956 and from Miami Jacob Business College in 1959. Most of her business career was in retail. She managed Dunlap Furniture in Celina, the Celina unit of Ohio State Liquor Stores for 12 1/2 years, and El Bee Shoes in St Marys.

Karen was the Head Start Director and long-term volunteer bookkeeper for the Auglaize Mercer Community Action Commission (AMCAC). She was a founding parent of the AMCAC Free School. The strength of her character and the commitment to her convictions shone brightly when she persuaded the Celina School Board to change the dress code thus allowing girls to wear slacks to school. She, along with her husband Dick, were patrons and supporters of the arts and were active members of the Grand Lake Arts Council. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, making bread, embroidering, & word search books. One of her greatest pleasures in life was her & her husband's annual dance on their deck.

"May the band play on."

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina with David Maywhoor officiating; where the family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. before the service.

Memorial contributions can be made to West Ohio Food Bank, 1380 E Kibby St, Lima, Ohio 45804.

To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home's Facebook page.