1943~2019
Karen Mae Bast of Carlyle, Saskatchewan, formerly of Oxbow, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2019 at the age of 76 years. Karen was born on September 8, 1943 at Bienfait, Saskatchewan, and lived there with her parents, Parker & Thelma Dunbar, and younger brother, Lyle, until the family moved to Oxbow in 1949. Karen attended school in Oxbow and then moved to Regina in 1960 where she worked at SaskPower for a short time. Upon returning home to Oxbow one weekend she met the love of her life, Joe Bast. On October 12, 1963, Karen & Joe were married in Oxbow, Saskatchewan. Over their years together they lived in Estevan, Oxbow, and White Bear Lake. It was in Oxbow where they started their family and were blessed with two children Ryan (1977) & Jolene (1979). Karen loved animals, and the family owned several beloved dogs. Karen and Joe spent many happy years in Oxbow – they loved to entertain, socialize, and spent many an evening playing games and laughing with their best friends and neighbours, Barb & Carl Biberdorf. Throughout the years, Karen worked for the Town of Oxbow, then at the high school teaching accounting and typing, and finally for the Oxbow School Division. Karen was a very active member of the Oxbow community, giving much of her time to the United Church as choir director, member of the Drama Club, and as a Girl Guide Leader. Karen was also a coach and advocate for athletes involved in the Special Olympics. Karen was an avid gardener, a fabulous baker, an amateur photographer, and a crafty scrapbooker. She was a talented singer and pianist who enjoyed sharing her love of music with others. Karen enjoyed taking road trips, and has been coast-to-coast in Canada, visited the British Isles, and made several trips to the USA to places such as Disneyland and Arizona. Karen loved nature and spent much time in the outdoors gardening, walking, & camping, but she especially enjoyed making memories at the family cabin in White Bear Lake.
Karen spent the last 15 years of her life living at the Moose Mountain Lodge in Carlyle with Joe close by her side living in White Bear Lake. Karen and Joe celebrated 55 years of marriage last fall. Our family would like to express our appreciation for the compassionate care provided to Karen by the nurses and care workers at the Moose Mountain Lodge in Carlyle.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, Oxbow, Saskatchewan with Reverend Jackie Van’t Voort officiating. Scattering will take place at a later date. Donations in memory of Karen may be made to the Moose Mountain Lodge Auxiliary, or to St. Paul’s United Church in Oxbow.
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