MIKADO, Karen
Posted: May 10th, 20171971 – 2017
To know her was to love her.
We are overwhelmingly saddened to announce the sudden passing of our beloved Karen Mikado on May 5, 2017, at the age of 45 years. Karen was the cherished mother of Taya and Sam, who were her greatest pride and joy. She was the dearly loved daughter of Mary Vanden Elzen, twin sister of Cory (Jennifer), sister of Annette (James) Schnepper, and Jeff (Laurene). She was an amazing aunt to her nieces and nephews; Jackie, Graham, Madeline, Charlotte, John, Paul, Gina and Brady. Karen will also be missed by the Mikado family; Patti (Jim) Spencer, James (Chiemi) Mikado, Ron Mikado and all their extended family. Karen will also be dearly missed by all aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she shared many extraordinary happy times. Born on May 12, 1971, she grew up on the family farm in the Readymade area and graduated from Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale. She continued her studies in nursing at Lethbridge College and University of Lethbridge (RN BN). In 1995, she married her beloved Don Mikado. With her caring, compassionate and charismatic manner she was a shining light in the world, an incredible friend to everyone. Karen had a vivacious personality with a passion for travel and adventure. With her beautiful smile, she brought joy to everyone. She enjoyed running marathons, flying, skydiving, windsurfing, paddle-boarding, and riding her motorbike. She wasn’t afraid to try something new and more often than not she excelled in anything she tried. Through her wonderful example, her daughters have learned to be kind, loving and to live life to its fullest. Karen was a talented enthusiastic instructor in the nursing department at Lethbridge College and a caring recovery-room nurse at Able Dental. She will be sadly missed by her fellow nurses, co-workers and the students who she greatly inspired. Karen is now reunited with her soulmate Don, her father Adrian, and her mother and father-in-law Sam and June. Karen is forever treasured in our memories. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, May 12, 2017 at the SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 1011 – 4 Ave., S., Lethbridge, Alberta with Father Lucas Drapal, celebrant. Cremation will follow with a private family graveside service at a later date.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
I am deeply saddened by your loss. Karen was my nurse colleague for many years at the College. Last year we co-taught a course. I was the coordinator checking in on her last clinical rotation at the hospital. She had the students very occupied and they all smiled when I asked how it was going.
She was eager and helpful in her work here. She had a special relationship with students – she cared for them as people; she made them feel special and significant. We felt it too as her colleagues.
When I found out Karen had been to Maui so many times I asked her to write me out some instructions as I was taking my own family for the first time. We stayed in a condo in Kihei and rented our car from Kimos. We went straight to Costco and got our food and flippers. We worried about the car windows in the parking lots at beaches. She prescribed everything perfectly.
She leaves a big hole in the nursing faculty here at the College. It was a privilege to work alongside her.
Brad Keim
Sending prayers and thoughts to Karen’s family especially her 2 Giles ! Karen brightened every room she walked into always with a beautiful smile she was talented in so many things and had such passion for life ! Karen will be truly missed by all ! She was a Ray of Sunshine ! My Condolences to Karen family ! Jennifer Neufeld !