Karen Kish

Karen was born September 8, 1948 to Alexander Norman & Marion Jennet Duncan in Wolseley, SK; their 3rd daughter and sister to Norma (Englot) and Donna (Stajniak). She loved her family and spent a lot of her teen years with her nieces and nephews before attending school at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina to become a Medical Laboratory Technologist.

On November 18, 1972 Karen married Irwin (Irv) Kish and together they shared a partnership filled with love, laughter and many adventures for over 52 years.

Karen was the proud mother of: Karissa (Jeff) Hassler, Colleen (Mike) Currie, Kurtis (Tommi) Kish, Carla (Derek) Meszaros & Kyle (Vanessa) Kish; grandmother to: Lauren Hassler, Jayden & Jenna Currie, Kruise, Cooper & Kamryn Kish, Braeden, Reid & Gillian Meszaros, Tennessee, Arizona & Gentry Kish, who brought her much pride & joy. She is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Gordon, Gerry and Sherri Kish, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Norman and Jennet Duncan, in-laws Tony and Margaret Kish, brothers-in-law Joe Englot, Joey Stajniak, Cliff Kish and sister-in-law Mabel Kish.

Karen had a fulfilling career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist and worked at the Kipling Hospital for about 40 years, taking time off to have their kids. She played an active role in fundraising for the Kipling & District Health Foundation with the goal for a new Integrated Health Centre - something that she was very passionate about and was also a member of the Bekevar Ladies Aid.

Karen was a very hard worker and played a big role on the farm as she hauled silage and grain, raised chickens and sheep, and helped Irv with the cattle. She tended to the farmyard having to mow all the grass, planted 2 large flower beds and often had 2 gardens. The summer months were busy mowing, weeding, watering and picking, followed by canning and preserving. During the Christmas season she would decorate, hand-write letters to family and friends and often bake about 20 different slices and cookies.

Karen loved to watch hockey games, garden, golf, bake, curl, swim, listen to music and watch curling but most of all, she loved to spend time with her family – especially her grandchildren, who she was very proud of. Karen and Irv often went on trips to Mexico and Las Vegas with friends and in some of her early years of retirement, would spend some of the winter months in Yuma, AZ, until it became too difficult to travel with her dementia.

Karen will be remembered for her kindness, strength, generosity and witty sense of humor. Her family and friends will also remember her warm smile, love for those around her, her hard work and her joke telling.

In July of 2021, Karen transitioned into the Willowdale Lodge Long-term care facility where she spent the remainder of her life. The family is forever grateful for the excellent care that she received.

A celebration of life was held in the Kipling Community Centre on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Chris Toth officiating. A private interment for family was held prior to her celebration of life at Bekevar Cemetery.

Charitable donations may be made to the Kipling Integrated Health Center Long Term Care Activity Fund, Box 420, Kipling SK S0G 2S0, the Kipling and District Health Foundation, Box 989, Kipling SK S0G 2S0, or to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301-2550 12 Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1.