KAREN LYNNE TREFTLIN

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of Karen Lynne Treftlin (nee Bunnell), 64 years of age, on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Karen was born August 30, 1950 in International Falls, MN to the late Darrel and Stella Bunnell (nee Shostakoski).
After Karen was born in International Falls, MN she moved with her mother to Camp Carson, CO where her father was stationed with the U.S. Army.
The Bunnell family went overseas to France when she was four years old and she started school, and then moved to Texas.
They returned to Germany, and then to San Francisco, CA when Karen was in the 6th grade.
Their next move was to Seoul, South Korea, and then in 1965 they returned again to the U.S. where her father’s last Army Base was in Fort Belvoir, VA.
In 1968, the Bunnells made their final move to Minneapolis, MN upon her father’s retirement from the U.S. Army. Karen graduated from Cooper High School in New Hope, MN in 1969.
Between 1968 and the early part of 1970, Karen worked for Sears (sales clerk) and then Boutells (sales clerk, credit manager) in Minneapolis, MN.
On July 18, 1970 in Fort Frances, she married the love of her life, Glenn Wayne Treftlin, residing in Fort Frances until the summer of 1977 during which time she worked for Stedman’s and then the Clinic Pharmacy (sales clerk), and for Rainycrest Home for the Aged (nurses aide) until her daughters, Teri and Amanda, and son, Chad, were born.
The young family then moved to Atikokan, where they made their home for 11 years. While there, the youngest son, Erik, was born. In June, 1988, the family of six returned to Fort Frances, ON where she has lived since.
While in Atikokan, Karen enjoyed volunteering numerous hours to the elementary schools as a parent volunteer, to the Girl Guides Association as a Brownie Leader (Tawny Owl), and to the Anglican and United churches.
Her home was usually the favoured place for the neighbourhood children to gather. Her gentle manner and guidance was well received by all the children.
It was this that influenced her to accept the invitation from parents to commence an in-home child care service. She continued to provide this service when she returned to Fort Frances for about seven years.
Her favourite activities (her love and passion) included hand crafts (for family, friends, craft sales and fairs), crocheting, reading and visiting with her family and friends.
Karen’s love, affection and wonderful personality as a wife and mother allowed her to develop and cherish lasting friendships near and far (Dave and Barb, Larry and Joanne, Jock and Geraldine, Mike and Wendy, John and Geraldine, Duncan and Geraldine, Donna and Victor, Bill and Heidi, and others).
Karen is survived by her loving husband, Glenn; their children, Teri (Jason) of Kakabeka Falls, ON, Amanda (Roben) of Emo, ON, Chad (Sarah) of Mackenzie, BC, and Erik (Jenny) of Dryden, ON; grandchildren, Graeme, Kael, Jordan, Nadia, Kayla, Owen and Aiden; brothers, Mike (Anita) and Curt (Deb) of Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law, Barbara (Larry) of Keswick, ON; brother-in-law, Brent (JoAnne) of Delta, BC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Darrel and Stella; father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Mildred Treftlin (nee Payne); and brother-in-law, Larry Treftlin.
As per Karen’s wishes, a cremation has taken place. A celebration of Karen’s life will take place Friday, April 17, 2015 between noon and 4 p.m. at the Fort Frances Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29.
Flowers are gratefully declined. If family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations can be made to any of the following: the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, La Verendrye General Hospital, or Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.