Louella Carolyn (King) Guthrie

Louella Carolyn Guthrie nee King, age 83 of Newaygo, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 2, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born on April 17, 1941 in Muskegon, Michigan to Lowell and Helen King.  Lou, as she was affectionately known, was a dedicated wife, loving mother, extraordinary caretaker, and exceptionally hard worker. If you wanted to run into her casually, your best bet would be to frequent local area garage/yard sales and thrift stores; she had a knack for finding and collecting small treasures. She loved her family, holidays, bright colors, cookie jars (she had over 300), coffee mugs, Disney toys, country music albums, vintage salt and pepper shakers, old books, and being kind to others. She was fun, funny and sweet.

She always worked hard; early on she worked at Swede's Trading Post and Antiques in Bailey, MI., she picked strawberries, she watched other mother's children while they worked. She worked for Head Start in Newaygo County for many years. She raised 7 kids (a very big job back in the day of cloth diapers). With 5 kids still in school, she put herself through college to become a registered nurse. She was the charge nurse in a dialysis ward, worked Inpatient Intake at New Focus/Corewell Health (Psych Unit), worked at a foster care home for the mentally impaired, and was compassionate with everyone she came in contact with.

Her home was a revolving door to those who needed a place to stay. She couldn't stand to see anyone cold, hungry or homeless. There was always food and a pot of coffee going all hours of the day.  Christmas Eve was usually the family get together to play games and share gifts. If anyone showed up unexpectedly she would find something in her closet that she could wrap up for them. No one was going without at her house.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Garry; by her parents, Lowell and Helen King; her son-in-law, Paul Crain; and granddaughters, Amber Vandermeer, and Jessica Hingston-Lindsey. She is survived by an extended loving family. Her children: Cheryl (Barron) Johnson, Scott (Ericka) Guthrie, Lori (Ray) Bush, Jeanne Crain, Russell Guthrie, Tracey Guthrie and Clint Guthrie. Her Grandchildren: Jeremy Guthrie, Rachel (Dan) Davis, Andrea (Randy) Morgan, and James (Jessica) Riggs. Lily (Skip) Newcomb, Katrina Guthrie and Conor Guthrie. Eric Crain, Jamie Crain, , Alex Crain, Danielle (Joe) Jaimes, and Tyler Crain. Kasey Guthrie, Keith Guthrie, Kaylee Guthrie and Ryker Guthrie; 32 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her siblings:  Roger (Nancy) King, Sr., Harvey King, Beverly (Tom) Hallberg, Wanda Ottinger, Arnold King, Mary Jo (Bill) Hanes-Simon, John King, Sheila (Allen) Raterink, Darlene King Bogner and Patricia (Andrew) Wolgamott.

Visitation will be from 11-1 PM on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home in Fremont.  A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 PM on Monday at Ashland Township Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at at the Newaygo VFW Post #4249.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the funeral home to help with expenses.  You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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