Obituary of Karen Lynn Weinhandl

WEINHANDL: It is with great sadness that the family of Karen Lynn Weinhandl (nee Zimmer) announces her passing on April 29, 2018. Karen was born January 3, 1962 to Ken and Audrey Zimmer in Roblin, MB. Her early years were spent living in Shevlin, MB and she attended elementary school in Roblin. At 12 years old the family moved to Brandon where Karen attended George Fitton, Harrison Jr High and Crocus Plains for high school. During high school Karen started working at Safeway, a job she would later return to as a career spanning nearly 20 years. After getting married to Keith Weinhandl in 1982 and having daughter Jennifer in '83, Karen went to work for Williamson and Bourassa as an optometric assistant. When second daughter Michelle was born in '89, Karen chose to stay home and raise the girls, often babysitting other neighbourhood children and volunteering at the school. When Karen and Keith separated in '99, Karen returned to work at Safeway, where she worked her way up from cart pusher up to Store Manager. Her achievements in her career were something she was always very proud of, and she was honoured to manage the Neepawa Safeway right up until her passing. Her hobbies over the years included reading, gardening, travel, and mentoring at work. Karen loved to travel, and with her partner, Bill McMurry, visited nearly every one of the lower 48 States. She particularly enjoyed travelling to the South and visiting antebellum homes, Graceland and New Orleans. Karen is survived by her daughters Jennifer (Dane Watson) Weinhandl and Michelle Weinhandl, her grandson, Dade Watson, sister Laurie (Neal) McDougald and father, Ken Zimmer. She also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends. She was predeceased by her mother Audrey in 1978, her brother Glen in 1994, beloved grandmother Frieda in 1997 and step-mother Elaine in 2007. A service was held at Brockie Donovan Chapel to celebrate Karen's life on Friday, May 4, 2018. Daughters Jennifer and Michelle bore her to her final interment the following day at the Shevlin Lutheran Cemetery. Karen's final resting place is right next to her paternal grandmother, Frieda, whom she was very close with and loved vastly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karen's memory to the Shevlin District Cemetery Fund (Payable to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church) c/o Box 94, Roblin, Manitoba, R0L 1P0.