I came across this obituary quite randomly on BlueSky! I knew Karen from the Winnipeg knitting community and wish I'd had more opportunities to work alongside her (as I now also volunteer with the Scandinavian Centre). I knew Karen as a wonderful, vibrant woman with amazing stories. In all her stories it was clear how much she loved her family, how much she cared for communities and human rights, and her joy of life.

Karen had a profound impact on my life. I was a new mother in the early 1990s, and her playgroup at Lord Roberts School (later at the community club, and then Augustine church) was a safe and happy place. Parents and children all benefitted from her warm and welcoming presence. Karen created a very special atmosphere. Kids had a place to play, sing, snack, and explore. Parents could meet, share joys and troubles, exchange stories and wisdom, and laugh and cry together. Many neighbours became life-long friends. Including Karen and I. She was artistic, intelligent, whimsical, innovative, funny and forgiving. She made it look effortless, but you could sense there was a lot of thought and care behind the program that she planned each week. She had fun too, we could tell. Personally, she came to my rescue more than once when I was exhausted, and just needed someone else to hold the baby so I could catch my breath, maybe simply with a walk around the block. I am eternally grateful for her kind mercies.

Karen became a cherished member of our neighbourhood knitting group. We loved to see what incredible project she was working on next, and many of us sought her advice with our own knitting problems. We all missed her so much these past years when she was no longer able to knit, and declined to join in.

Karen often sat outside on her front porch, and because I walked past her place twice a day, to and from the bus to go to work, I sometimes stopped in to chat. Or if it was pouring rain, to take shelter from the storm. One time I found her in front of the stove, gently stirring something in a saucepan. I was curious because I thought Karen didn’t cook. Well, there she was, stirring raw wool in hot water, dyeing it and coaxing it into felt fabric so she could make little baby elf booties! That kind sums up Karen to me. Always making art. Always open to visits. Amazing. Kind. Generous. Quirky. Quietly determined. She was one of a kind. I loved and admired her and I will miss her so very much.

My deepest condolences to Rob, David, and Eli and families.

Karen was the loveliest neighbor one could ever have hoped for. We were so fortunate to have Karen and Rob right next door for most of my life growing up. Karen will be deeply missed and remembered always with a big smile. Too many fantastic memories to list, but I do want to say that her kindness, resilience, and unending patience was inspirational. SO many full conversations covering ALL the worlds problems (sprinkled with some fun gossip) and always her smile. My sister Kristine, my mom Bernice, and I will miss her gentle presence Greatly. Karen and Rob were such a lovely energy to live next to for so many years for which we are all very fortunate and very grateful.

Sending our deepest sympathy and love to Rob, Eli, and David and their families.

My deepest condolences to you Rob, David, Eli, Hans and to your families on the loss of an amazing woman. I met Karen at Lord Roberts School when she ran the playgroup from there and moved on with her when it switched to the community club. Our friendship grew from there and our mutual interests formed a friendship that lasted these past 26 years. Over the years we had many coffee dates and knit nights together. I always felt like Karen "got me" and I hope that she felt the same way. Over the last few years we allowed our men-folk to join in our visits which had led to an even greater friendship. It meant a lot that she was there for special events for my children the last one being Emily's wedding. I treasure my memories of the Jack's Christmas decorating parties and in her legacy I have conitinued this tradition with my family. I will miss her laugh, her wit and her friendship.

Our condolences to the family of Karen.

We are grateful to have meant something for Karen. Karen meant something to us at Hoerbygaard while she was with us, and she has been remembered since.

What a meaningful and rich life Karen has lived. We thank for our little share of it.

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Karen. She was a dear friend and we had many special times together with your children and ours. All the holidays, Christmas, Halloween, Easter etc. I remember going for long walks with Karen along Rosedale and some other streets. I remember going to community hall and doing crafts together. When we moved away we didn't see each other so much, but we did stay in touch and did visit each other. We really enjoyed your company. Also going to wedding socials and spending a lot of time on the dance floor. our grown children's weddings etc. you and Karen coming to our 50 anniversary when Bob and I repeated our vows. It was wonderful to see you there. Also when we went to McNally Robinson and saw you sitting at a table and we changed to a table of 4. Instead of 2. Also you and Karen's last visit to our house. We made some very great times and memories. Our love and condolences to your family.

Bob and Cristina Casey

I was so fortunate to have had two Danish women influence my life, my mom and Karen. My childhood would have been poorer without Karen's love, creativity, and sense of humour.
I have so many great memories of Karen. The tradition of making Danish Christmas decorations while drinking glogg and eating aebleskiver will forever be missed. I probably wouldn't know how to make heart baskets and folded stars without those cozy gatherings.
Karen saved my but when I was theatre student at the UofW. As the props coordinator, I needed two life size dolls that looked like they had been made in an ancient Greek jail. A tall order that could only have been met with her creative force and determination. Karen and my mom worked late into the night sewing these for me and the play. The dolls were fantastic and greatly appreciated by cast, crew, and the audience: but especially me, who thought the task was insurmountable.
I also remember she would laugh at my jokes and often make them funnier. Around her, I felt totally at ease and loved, much like everyone who knew her.
I miss her deeply.

Karen facilitated the playgroup at Lord Roberts that my children attended. Her ability to be calm and gentle in the middle of chaos was truly impressive, and something I always remembered. She touched the lives of many kids and moms from the neighbourhood, a legacy to be proud of.

Our condolences to Rob and family. Karen was a remarkable person with such a kind heart. She will be missed by many.

Dear Rob and family, Karen Introduced me to the Graft Guild, where she and her mother soon learned that I didn't have any talent for knitting, crocheting or anything else. They were so kind to me and when I showed them my first attempt at knitting, I shall always remember their pure joy in holding up my 'creation' for inspection. Elise was smiling, but Karen was laughing! I shall remember her laugh - like a trill on the flute. I'm so very sorry this wonderful woman has left us.

What a beautiful life you had together Rob. So very sorry for your loss💕

Karen and Rob so many years ago at a Danish Christmas dinner hosted by friends Paul and Mette.

Some years later on a potty training day. Maybe not entirely appropriate but the photo did bring back many memories for me.

Karen and Rob so many years ago at a Danish Christmas dinner hosted by friends Paul and Mette.

Some years later on a potty training day. Maybe not entirely appropriate but the photo did bring back many memories for me.

Such a sad loss of such a unique and special person.

Sincere condolences to the family.

Our parents were friends for many years and I will always remember Karen as one of the most kind and gentle people I have ever known. Our concolences to Rob and family.

Karen and Rob

Though I only got to know her for a short time, Karen left a lasting impression on all of us at U-Turn. We connected most over my 3 cats and I loved getting to talk about them and share photos with her when she came to class. Thanks for sharing a larger look into her life and who she was as a person, she will be missed.

Heartfelt condolences from everyone at U-Turn Parkinson's.

Karen amazing person with a beautiful soul. For her family and for peace. I wish Robby, Eli and David and the family and friends all the power you need. With love from NL, Esmé

Hi Ribby so nice to read this, I didn't know. I never met her or maybe when we were a kid and İ don't remember, I will ask my Dad.. What a lovely person! As İ wrote you before: for you and your kids strength and comfort to get through this difficultness. They say it's a part of life, but it feels like a worthless part of life. Take care of eachother! Gurur, Şilan, Sacha

Hi Ribby so nice to read this, I didn't know. I never met her or maybe when we were a kid and İ don't remember, I will ask my Dad.. What a lovely person! As İ wrote you before: for you and your kids strength and comfort to get through this difficultness. They say it's a part of life, but it feels like a worthless part of life. Take care of eachother! And take care oGurur, Şilan, SachaGurur, Şilan, Sacha

Loved being included in the epic annual Christmas craft days and our visits! ❤️ Sorry for your loss. Karen was a beautiful soul.

I very fondly developed a love for troll dolls because of her. When she volunteered at Ecole Riverview, I listened and wrote a storybook about them after she taught me the legend. She was truly an amazing lady.

Karen and Rob have been our neighbors for almost 40 years, but I knew Karen before we became neighbors. Karen helped me with a project I worked on as an Early Childhood Education student. I needed to present about child care in the Scandinavian countries, and Karen was an expert! She told me stories about how the ECEs would knit for the infants and preschoolers during their nap times and marveled me with information about how important outdoor play was for children, and how the country supported this in early childhood programs. Karen gifted me a purple shirt, telling me that it was the color associated with early childhood in Denmark. I wore the shirt when I did my presentation!

Fast forwarding, when we became neighbors we would stop for a "quick" chat over the fence, they were never that "quick" but always delightful!

Rob - your tribute to Karen is so thoughtful, and even though I only knew her in a small way, she was remarkable, kind, and lovely. Our thoughts are with you, Eli and David and their families.