Karen’s true spirit and strength shone bright as her final chapter ended in her loving Husband’s arms.
Karen was born December 25, 1952, A Christmas baby, in Matsqui, British Columbia and passed away
February 24, 2020 at her home in Ootischenia, British Columbia, as per her wishes.
Karen is survived by her caring husband Tom, son David Kerkoff (Angie), step-children Trevor Haviland (Diane), Bobbi-Jo Galazka (Rob), sister Laura Cluster (Ron), brothers Jerry Floeting (Maureen),
Chris Floeting (Cindy) and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Predeceased by her parents Rose and Herb Floeting and her brother Brent Floeting.
Karen was very proud to be the editor and reporter for the Castlegar Citizen until it closed.
She continued her love of writing and composing to a very large and captivated audience.
Tom and Karen were spur of the moment people who could pack and be gone in five minutes for their famous “get lost days”. This extended from Arizona and many excursions into Mexico in the winter, then back home in the summers.
They enjoyed many years of camping, quadding and fishing in the Lardeau and Slocan Valley. As an example of a quadding excursion up the Lardeau at America Creek, Tom & Karen came around a corner and the RCMP jumped out of the bush with guns drawn thinking they were coming up to harvest the crop they found. Karen automatically got 150 more grey hairs that day.
Their favourite camping spot was on the Slocan River with cherished friends, named “The Meadow People”.
Karen was very proud of her Betty Boop collection. For decades she hunted for the right pieces to add to her treasured collection. She was also the Queen of Bling. Karen loved to “bling” everything, from her clothes, phone, kindle, right down to her cane.
Karen was a very special lady with a heart of gold, and her giving nature touched the hearts of many.
Tom would like to express his deepest gratitude for all those who helped his wife.
Dr Larocque, for his helpfulness through many years and for making the right decision in the end.
The renal nurses on the 4th floor at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, for the love and compassion they gave Karen all these years. Tom loves you all.
Dr Petrie, his colleagues and nursing staff at the Kelowna General Hospital, thank you ever so much for your caring.
Thank you to all for the visits, food, phone calls and outpouring of love. Tom is truly humbled.
Karen was taken too soon and will be forever missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer, with the date to be announced.
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Sonja Englund
I am so sorry to find this obituary, I didn’t know Karen had died and I want to send the condolences of all her family here on the east coast to her family there. I was searching for Karen online because I had lost her email address. I am Sonja Englund the daughter of her uncle Roy Englund. We had some wonderful contacts over the years and I really enjoyed her writing. Particularly two beautiful articles she wrote about the family which helped to fill in some of the blanks for me and my sister Kristel and brother Leif. I had actually found our Grandma and Grandpa’s marriage certificate in the archives and was planning to send it to her when I found this very sad obituary. I don’t know how to contact her family but I hope you see this and know that we are very sorry for your loss. I would love to hear from you if you are open to that.