Karen Roberta Lane
Karen Roberta Lane, 64, of Edmonton, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2016, at the University of Alberta Hospital after recently being diagnosed with end-stage cancer. She was born October 31st, 1951 the daughter of Robert and Lillian Lane of Westlock, Alberta.
Karen was predeceased by her parents and will be laid to rest with them in Westlock. She was also predeceased by her sister Marlene in 2007 and brother Dennis (Zinnia) in 2014. She is survived by her eldest brother Ardelle (Lori) from Red Deer, and her youngest sister Erica in Edmonton. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and was particularly close to Corey Nelson (Dana) and Ashley Lane. Although Karen never had any children of her own, she was truly a mother at heart and took an important role in raising her youngest sister, and her niece, Ashley Lane, and her little man Zachary Lane, who knew her as Nana.
Karen’s motto was Live, Laugh, Love and truly reflected how she choose to live her life. Karen had been badly injured in a fire and fought her way through a very hard and painful recovery; that experience caused her to appreciate every day as a gift and to give freely of herself. She had a keen sense of humor and loved to share laughs and love with her family and friends and believed that happiness was a choice that you make.
Karen graduated from Westlock High School, with the class of 1970. She formed many friendships during her school years in Westlock and continued to be life-long friends with Anne Pratchler. Karen loved to travel and was particularly fond of Hawaii and loved all things tropical; she also loved music and had a wide range of musical favorites. She spent much of her working life at the Alberta Treasury Branch and retired from there in 2011 after 33 years of service. Karen didn’t remain retired and started to regularly take shifts at the Jubilee Auditorium until she eventually found the late concert hours to be getting tedious and decided to give it up. She was working supervision at Queen Alexandra elementary school up till she felt ill in late June -she loved being a part of the school kid’s daily lives.
She will be laid to rest on September 17th at 11:00 am at the Westlock Public Cemetery. We welcome everyone to come and pay their final respects at this time. Live, Laugh, Love.
So very sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. When I first started with ATB in 1986 Karen was one of the first people I worked with and I very much enjoyed our time together in Conditional Sales. Karen was a very kind, caring individual and she will be greatly missed.
Karen had a gift for telling stories and was always able to make those around her smile, laugh and feel special. Heaven has a very special new angel ….one more star when you look up. May the many memories shared wrap all of you in Karen’s warmth. May we all be reminded to ‘live, laugh and love,’ in honour of Karen.
I had the pleasure of knowing Karen through our work at ATB. Had many laughs together about anything that came up. Still makes me smile. I remember her and I would vent together in the lunch room in Sherwood Park about how people should run the “coffee pot” correctly. LOL. Even though she didn’t smoke, she’d always join her co-workers outside and solve the worlds problems out there with her good listening skills and wisdom. When I was bitten by a dog and required 27 stitches to my face, I was forever touched when Karen was so sweet and brought me aloe vera patches to wear to decrease the scarring I may have had. She was a truly beautiful lady inside and out and I will never forget her. xo
Karen a friend for life as we meet in Westlick Jr. High in 1967 and have been friends ever since. She has been a inspiration to a lot of us the Class of 1970 Westlock High School. She will be sincerely missed by all. Rest in Peace my friend.
Heh Karen girl, speed ahead and make ready for the rest of us who daddle. You ran a good race and now you can rest. What a girl, gallant and graceful to the finish line. I treasure our last visit at the hospital…. FREE AT LAST,
comfort to your extended family, and all the friends you touched.
I met Karen when I first started working at ATB back in 1990. Her and I had an instant connection and have been close friends ever since. We’ve laughed, cried, and even had our small arguments but nothing was ever able to break the special bond that we had. As Karen would say, I was her Sister from another Mr. and she was so right about that. The day Karen left this place a piece of my heart went with her and I will cherish all the memories we made together. I love you Sister and know that we will meet again some day.
To live in the hearts we leave behind, is not to die.
Even though I did not know Karen well, our paths crossed at ATB Strathcona and we always said Hi in passing. Karen had a perpetual smile and while it is sad that she did not enjoy a lengthy retirement, she loved life and lived it well. RIP Karen.
Karen, I always admired your optimism throughout your many challenges. Your laughter and your loyalty to those you loved I shall always treasure. I am grateful that you are at Peace now.
I was saddened to hear of Karen’s untimely passing. We both worked at ATB Instalment Loans H.O.
Strathcona in 1997-98.. Karen had a great work ethic and a positive attitude to life in general. I
will miss our brief visits when we bumped into each other in the Strathcona area.
Deepest condolences to her family.