It is with a sense of profound respect and admiration that we celebrate the life of Karen Marie Ursu, a beacon of love, thoughtfulness, and creativity who left this world on July 20, 2023. Born on June 21, 1955, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Karen's journey through life was marked by a tireless spirit of service, a thirst for knowledge, and a zest for adventure that enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Karen was a lifelong learner, her curious mind always open to the wisdom of a good book or the lessons of a new experience. This love of learning was not confined to the pages of a book or the walls of a classroom. It was a flame that illuminated her path, guiding her through the winding roads of life with grace and resilience.

Her work history was as varied and colorful as the quilts she so loved to create. For 16 years, she served as a tow truck operator, proving that a woman's place is wherever she chooses it to be. She was a dedicated member of the Beiseker Village Council since 2011, where she worked tirelessly to make her community a better place to live. Karen's contributions to the Meadowlark Trail, the Dog Park, the Chamber of Commerce, the Beiseker Seniors Club, and even as a First Responder for the Beiseker Fire Department, are testimonies to her unwavering commitment to her community.

Karen's love for the outdoors was as expansive as the Alberta sky. She found joy in the simple pleasures of gardening, the thrill of a motorcycle ride, the peace of a quiet hike, the beauty of a sunset captured in a photograph. Her adventurous spirit was infectious, her enthusiasm a call to embrace the world around us with open hearts and curious minds.

She was a beloved wife to Bob, a loving mother to Amber, Mike, and Travis, and a doting grandmother to Sevyn, Blake, and Aria with whom she immensely enjoyed teaching crafts and reading. Her family was her greatest joy and her proudest achievement. In them, she found a wellspring of love and inspiration that fueled her every endeavor.

Karen passed away in Beiseker, Alberta, the place she was proud to call home. Her departure was as she lived her life: peaceful, dignified, and on her own terms. She left us as she lived among us, with grace, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the values she held dear.

As we remember Karen Marie Ursu, let us celebrate her remarkable life not with sorrow, but with gratitude. Gratitude for her tireless service, her indomitable spirit, her boundless love. Gratitude for the lessons she taught us, the love she shared with us, the light she brought into our lives.

Karen's life was a testament to the power of love, the value of service, and the beauty of living fully and fearlessly. Her legacy is a challenge to us all to live our lives with the same courage, the same passion, the same unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

In honoring Karen, we honor the best in ourselves. We honor the power of a life well-lived, the impact of a life well-loved. We honor the enduring spirit of Karen Marie Ursu, a woman whose life was a beacon of love, thoughtfulness, and creativity. May her light continue to shine in our hearts and inspire us to live our lives with the same courage, love, and dedication that she showed us every day.