Kara Annae Hall

Kara Annae Hall drew her last valiant breath before flying away from this earthly realm at 5:30 am on November 8th, 2023. As her spirit took flight, she was surrounded by the boundless, fierce, and unwavering love of her beloved father and mother (Charles and Brenda Hall), three sisters (Lindsey Hall, Aly Walker, and Kaylie Hall), brother-in-law (Caleb Walker), and two beautiful nieces (Riley Walker and Remi Hall). In her final days, she was supported by the calm and attentive caregiving provided by her caregiver, Katie (Stevens). Throughout the years that the disease, dementia, took hold in her life, she and family were frequently visited and spiritually uplifted by her uncle and aunt, Reverend Duane and Shelly Costello. She is welcomed in heaven by Grandma Betsy Ann Hall, Grandpa Allen Costello, Grandma Donelda Costello, and “Aunt” Diane Duddles. She is survived by all her immediate family members, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and Grandpa Donald Hall and Grandma Jean Hall.

Like the countless books she devoured page by delectable page, her story is one of an unexpected hero overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds and becoming the stuff that legends are made of. That was our Kara Cake. Our hero. All those who took the time to see her brilliance, to know and understand her wit and wisdom, will whole-heartedly agree.

Kara was born on May 7, 1994, and came into the Hall home as a foster child shortly thereafter on May 29, 1994. She was then officially adopted by the Halls on June 3, 1996. Though the medical prognosis as an infant was dire, (with doctors predicting she would never sit up on her own, let alone walk or talk), our hero never liked being told what she could or could not do. Walk and talk, she did, but she didn’t stop there. As a person living with multiple disabilities, Kara was legally blind and autistic. But disability is not inability. In her younger years she participated in the Special Olympics, swimming like a fish in both the breaststroke and backstroke, and winning several gold, silver, and bronze medals. Word by word, and page by page, she grew into a voracious reader and later into a creative, articulate writer as well. Kara worked several jobs in the community, including data entry at Ferris State University and book arranging and several other tasks at the Big Rapids Community Library. Kara graduated from Mecosta-Osceola Special Education Center in May 2020.

Kara’s love and knowledge of movies was astounding. She could recall facts and details that would impress even the most seasoned movie connoisseur. One of her favorite things to do was go to see movies (and eat movie theater popcorn) with her family. She was an avid Super Mario fan, with a particular soft spot for Luigi. She enjoyed fan fiction and searching the internet for stories and images of beloved characters. She loved watching Star Wars and Star Trek with her daddio and having hash brown/coffee runs in the early mornings with her mom. She adored Christmas music all year round and Christmas movies – especially A Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. “How ‘bout a cookie?” was her trusty query at the end of dinner time. However, an ice cream sandwich would also suffice if the cookies were gone. She loved poking at her dad’s belly in amusement whenever possible and saying “lovey dovey you” to her mom while showering her with kisses. Our girl of a thousand kisses.

Kara – loving daughter, beautiful granddaughter, sweetest sister, world’s best auntie, and faithful friend – we have no idea how we will carry on without your daily light. But we will do our best to carry on and live in the joy and wonder that you demonstrated for us each and every day. We will strive to make the world a better, more loving, more accepting place, just as you did while living here among us. 

The family has decided to have a private ceremony to honor Kara’s life. Those who wish to honor Kara’s memory can purchase a book directly for the Big Rapids Community Library via the library’s Amazon Wish-list. Please find the link at bigrapidslibrary.org/bookdonations

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kara Annae Hall, please visit our floral store.