Obituary of Karen Reimer

REIMER- Karen Joy

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Karen Joy Reimer (nee Smathers) age 68 of Swift Current, Saskatchewan. 

She was a caring daughter, wife, mom, grandma, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend to all who knew her.

Karen was born in Moose Jaw on June 23, 1955 to Miles and Zalie Smathers, the second of three daughters.  The family farmed south of Ardelle while spending winters in Moss Bank and Moose Jaw.  The family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta where Karen started school.  The family made additional moves to Ernfold and Uren before Karen completed High School in Chaplin.

Karen joined the Reimer family when she married Leonard Reimer on July 28^th, 1973, and the two of them made Swift Current home where they started their life together and raised a family. 

The majority of Karen’s career was spent at the Swift Current Union Hospital (Cypress Hills Regional Hospital) starting in admitting before working in both the lab and pharmacy departments.  Her colleagues became her friends, a friendship that ran deep and spurred on wine nights in retirement.  Karen also worked at Pharmasave upon her retirement at the hospital, and again built a network of friends, taking sushi rolls, pin rolls and other treats to the store for everyone.  She also spent some time teaching at the Academy of Learning helping young students by sharing her practical knowledge of the pharmaceutical technician field. 

In her younger years, you would find Karen on the ball field or the curling rink and many a bonspiel.  She helped organized the women’s world’s curling championship and would be glued to the TV much to dad’s dismay when curling was on.  Karen also enjoyed camping and spent time in the summer at the Saskatchewan Landing with family and friends. 

To the many family and friends who knew and loved Karen, she will be remembered most for her warm, caring personality – she always the first to lend a helping hand. 

Family and friends were important to Karen.  A very proud mother and Mama R (grandma) she wasn’t one to pass up an opportunity to brag about her two grand-daughters Micah and Isla.  Known for her cabbage rolls and home-made buns, there wasn’t a family holiday where we didn’t enjoy these staples.

Karen is survived by her husband Len; daughter Kelsay Reimer (Marc Butikofer) and granddaughters Micah and Isla; her sisters Candance Millar (Hugh), Pam Pierson (Mike); sister in laws Betty Cornelson (Jake), Adeline Brown (Steve), Joyce Reimer; Brothers-in-law Willie Reimer (Shari), Abe Reimer, Ed Reimer (Debbie) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.    She is predeceased by her parents Miles and Zalie Smathers, mother and father-in-law Henry and Anna Reimer, Sister-in-law Elvira Reimer, Daughter Mandi Reimer, Sister-in-law Lois Reimer, and Brother-in-law John Reimer. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Full Gospel Church in Swift Current, SK.  Arrangements are in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle & Hayden Cappelle.