1957 - 2020
Karen Lynn Tucker (nee Brown) was born in Edmonton on October 2, 1957 to Earl and Bonnie Brown of Wizard Lake area. Karen was the second child of the family with her brother Alan, arriving in 1956.
In 1963, the family moved to Fort St. John. While growing up Karen participated in Brownies, figure skating and just about anything outdoors, including riding horses and playing ball.
In 1973 the family moved to Drayton Valley when Earl was transferred to Cynthia for Texaco. Karen finished high school in Edmonton in 1975, but during the time in Drayton Valley, she met the love of her life, Jim Tucker.
In September 1975 Karen enrolled in Lethbridge College for Law Enforcement. During the next two years in college, Jim was her rock. They then married November 4, 1977 in Wetaskiwin at the Zion Lutheran Church.
After the wedding, Jim and Karen lived in St. Albert until 1979 at which time they moved to the Tomahawk, AB area. Over the next couple years Jim and Karen welcomed their two children: Chad (b Oct 12/1979) and Jamie (b Nov 20/1981). They stayed in the area until 1989, when the family relocated to Calgary. While in Calgary, Karen worked as a teacher’s aide in John Diefenbaker High School. In 1990, the family left the big city and moved to a lifestyle more suited to Jim and Karen in Sundre. In Sundre, Karen was employed with the RCMP as stenographer and special constable. In 1999, Jim and Karen moved west of Sundre to a place where country life was perfect for Karen. Surrounded by farm animals, especially horses, and “a house that would not be visible from the road” was the exact country life that Karen desired and cherished. Spending time identifying the birds around the farm and generally enjoying a quiet life. (Quiet, except for wind chimes! Karen loved wind chimes and if you asked Chad or Jamie, there were way too many.) The country life was ideal, and Karen was always at one with the outdoors, and everything that it involved.
Karen was always warm, welcoming, and ensured everyone was comfortable when she was with them. Karen was the consummate hostess, and nothing was ever a problem. Her smile was the warmest and most comforting one could ever imagine. Her ability to socialize was legendary and she always had time “for a little chitty chat” and maybe a “drinky poo”. Actually a little chitty chat was never possible as she was always engaging, compassionate and genuinely concerned about everyone’s well being.
Karen was an excellent athlete and at slo pitch and ladies’ fast ball, she was spectacular. For many slo pitch players, Karen is the only woman they ever witnessed hit an out of the park home run on a full-size ball diamond. The vision of Karen dancing around the bases and screaming and laughing will be imprinted for ever for anyone that witnessed her home run that day in Moon Lake, AB. Everything about Karen was top shelf. Karen was so strong, so athletic, so kind compassionate and caring. Karen especially enjoyed horse back riding out west in the hills with special love of Ram Falls and YaHa Tinda areas. Horses were a part of Karen’s life from her childhood in Ft St. John until her passing.
In 1992 depression struck and Karen fought depression and the side effects of physical and mental heath issues until her passing on April 19th, 2020. For those that knew the vintage Karen and the ill Karen, we could always see the generosity and caring for others and animals. The soul did not change.
Karen was predeceased by her father Earl in 2006 and Jim’s parents in 2019. She is survived by her direct family of Chad (Chelsey) Tucker and granddaughters Blaise and Jhett of Sundre and Jamie (Chris Cherewko) and grand daughters, Britney and Brooklyn of Doha, Qatar. She is also survived by her mother Bonnie Brown and her bother Alan Brown, both of Calgary. Finally, she leaves her husband and best friend of 42 years of marriage; Jim Tucker. Jim’s unwavering care made Karen’s final years healthy, secure, and filled of love.
A private family ceremony will be held at a future date.
At the family request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sundre Hospital Acute Care.
Sundre Hospital and Care Centre, 709 1 St NE, Sundre, AB T0M 1X0
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