ZUKE, Karen Marie (nee HOROBEC)
September, 16, 1972 – October 21, 2015
It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Karen Marie Zuke (nee Horobec) on Wednesday, October 21st at Etobicoke, ON. Karen was predeceased by her father Paul Horobec in 2001, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her husband Ron Zuke of Airdrie, Alberta, her mother Diane Horobec, sister Gail Horobec (Mike), nephew Zenon Horobec of Caliento, MB, in laws, Joe and Ruth Zuke, Gladstone, Sister In Law Carol Grant (Rob), and niece Rebecca Grant, Winnipeg. Karen grew up on the family farm in Caliento, MB. After graduating from Shevchenko School in Vita, Karen moved to Steinbach in 1990 and began working with Golden West Broadcasting at AM 1250 (CHSM Radio), as a creative writer. A promotion saw her transfer to Altona (CFAM 950), to become Creative Coordinator for Radio Southern Manitoba. Karen met her husband Ron (from CKMW 1570) in 1996 at the company’s annual golf tournament. They married in Sundown, MB on October 10th, 1998. Ron and Karen lived in Altona, before moving back to Caliento in 1999 for a short period to help out with the family business, Horobec Foods. They moved to Portage la Prairie in 2000, where both Ron and Karen worked for CFRY Radio. Karen eventually became Online Services Manager for Golden West, but her desire to fulfill a lifelong dream of attending university came to fruition in 2007 when she enrolled in the Internet Systems Specialist Diploma program at the University of Winnipeg. Karen commuted from Portage la Prairie to downtown Winnipeg for one year, with only a one week break, completing the program in October 2008. A promotion for Ron, a month later saw the two of them move to Drumheller, Alberta, as Ron worked on launching a new FM station for Golden West in early 2009. Karen launched her own web development business KarenZuke.com in Drumheller and worked with many businesses throughout Western Canada. In 2012, Golden West transferred Ron to their newly acquired radio station (Air 106.1 FM) in Airdrie, AB, where he and Karen resided up until her passing during a trip to Toronto. Ron and Karen loved to travel and had many adventures over the years, including sports tourism vacations to follow the Winnipeg Jets & the Toronto Blue Jays. They loved Costa Rica, visiting 3 times in the past 4 years. This past summer they went on a trip of a lifetime, spending 15 days in Europe in July & August. Visits to London, Venice, Rome and Paris were the highlights of their trip, as Karen was especially excited to return to Paris, where she had visited once previously. Ron and Karen celebrated 17 years of marriage, just 11 days before her passing. Karen lived her life to the fullest and brightened the day of whomever she crossed paths with. She was a creative person, who loved to draw and later used her talents to design award winning logos, performed beautiful landscaping, home renovations and decorating while developing and hosting over 100 websites for businesses throughout Canada and the U.S. It comes as no surprise that one of her favourite quotes came from a cartoonist - The Family Circle’s Bil Keane.
Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift.
That’s why it’s called the present. – Bil Keane
A private memorial service for family and friends was held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach on Wednesday, October 28th. Ash interment will take place at a later date at St John’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Caliento, MB. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Karen may be made to: St John’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery Fund: c/o Olga Bodnarchuk - Treasurer, Box 38, Vita, MB, R0A 2K0. The family wishes to express appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers, words of encouragement, cards, and expressions of sympathy received from family and friends.