Karen Page

Karen Page was a gifted athlete whose love for the game of tennis led her on a successful career path through which she impacted numerous lives of the athletes that were under her direction over a period of several years. Coach Page was a driven woman who coached at various levels throughout her career and who was also recognized by her peers for her outstanding leadership and service. Coach Page was an integral part in the advancement of tennis at the high school, college, and community levels and her numerous contributions leave an outstanding legacy that will surely withstand the ebb and flow of the tides of time.

The earliest games of tennis were played in the courtyards of monasteries in Europe. As the game evolved, it moved to rectangular indoor courts with hard floors of wood or stone before it then became an outdoor sport played on grass fields. It was not until the 1940s that hard courts were used in official lawn tennis tournaments. Also during this time, William and Katherine (Rader) Garbow, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were celebrating the birth of their twin girls, Karen and Karyl, on February 9, 1949. Karen was officially born first and the girls were joined two years later by their brother Tim. Her father supported his family through his work in sales for Wayne Feeds and although at one time her mother was a teacher, she left the work force in order to care for her children once Karen and Karyl arrived.

During her earliest years, Karen lived in the family home located on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. She was also raised in the Christian faith and Karen would carry her Christian faith with her throughout her entire lifetime, providing her with strength and courage when she would need it most. Her family attended Plymouth Congregational Church together where they enjoyed the fellowship of fellow believers.

When Karen was nine years old her family relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, where her father managed a turkey hatchery. From an early age, Karen was active and interested in sports including swimming, riding her bike, and of course, playing tennis. Karen, along with her sister and a girlfriend, started playing the game as young girls through the area recreational program. They rode their bike to and from practice each day, careful not to lose the tennis balls they carried in the baskets of their bikes. Karen also learned responsibility as a young girl as she did her fair share of the cooking and Karyl was responsible for the sewing at times when both of their parents were working.

As Karen grew older, she and her sister continued to play tennis together and they traveled extensively to participate in tournaments. During her high school years at Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines, she and Karyl played against the rival high school where the victory of their team was dependant on the outcome of their match. After being down on the 3rd set 0-4, Karen and Karyl rallied to beat the other team and their school came out on top.

Karen went on to graduate from high school and then she also graduated from Iowa State University. This would not be the end of Karen’s journey with those who were as passionate about the game of tennis as she was, but rather her journey was really just beginning.

Coach Page, as she soon became known, established an extensive background as a teacher and coach of tennis. She served as coach of the both the boys and girls varsity tennis teams at Holland West Ottawa High School. Karen also coached the Holland community’s adult women Unites States Tennis Association (USTA) travel teams. She served as President of the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association and was a certified teaching professional as well. Coach Page was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Western Michigan Tennis Association for outstanding leadership and service and was named to the Hall of Fame of the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association, as well as the West Ottawa High School Hall of Fame.

Karen also went on to coach at the collegiate level as she guided the Hope College Flying Dutch to conference championships in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009 with the teams from 1998, 2008, and 2009 earning a berth in the NCAA tournament. Most recently, Karen was serving as Director of the DeWitt Tennis Center of Hope College where she has also served as the coach of the women’s tennis team for the past 12 years.

There was rarely a time when Karen wasn’t wearing a smile and her vibrant joy for life was contagious to all those around her. She made the most of each day she was given and her life exemplified strength and grace, both on the court and off.

Although Karen was a tough competitor as both an opponent and as a coach in the game of tennis, her most challenging fight would be reserved for her long and courageous battle with cancer. A reoccurrence of cancer this spring did not allow Karen to coach the college team, but her illness did not deter her from being with her squad at the MIAA conference meet and NCAA tournaments.

Karen Page was a woman of great strength and determination with a passion for the game of tennis and an insatiable desire to share her love and expertise with numerous others. She established a decorated career that spanned a number of years and that was recognized by all who appreciate the sport. Karen made a profound impact within her community and in the lives of people far too many to count. Her exuberance, compassion, and grace will be forever missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Karen Page of Holland, MI passed on to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior July 3, 2009 at the Hospice House in Holland.

Karen’s family includes her husband Tom Page of Holland, a twin sister Karyl Garbow and Jack Whiteley of Phoenix, AZ., and brother Tim Garbow of Montana. A memorial service to celebrate Karen’s life will be held 1p.m. on Sunday at The Dimnent Memorial Chapel on The Campus of Hope College (12th street and College Ave). The family will receive visitors after the service in the lower level of the Chapel following the service. The Rev. Paul H. Boersma Hope College Chaplin will be officiating the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice House of Holland or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements provided by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes of Holland.