Karen Spence

Karen Agnes Mary Spence Nov. 13, 1958, to Dec. 27, 2025 At Grace Hospital with her husband Stuart Barr at her side, Karen went home on December 27, 2025. Karen is greatly mourned by her two great loves, husband Stuart and their daughter Kristin. She is also mourned by her five surviving siblings Claire T. Riddle, Garry (Lena) Spence, and lda, Myles, and Michael Spence. She leaves many nieces and nephews. The ones who were closest to her in her last years were Robert (called RJ) Riddle, Francis Riddle, and Leeann Spence-Guimond and Leeann's father Alfred Guimond. She has many cousins and she was close to many of them. She also leaves the many friends she made at Lions Manor. She was predeceased by six of her brothers, four of them as infants and two of them as adults, Steve and Leonard. She was also predeceased by one adult sister, Annette. Karen was born in Ste Rose du Lac on November 13, 1958, to parents Joseph Arsene Spence and Adeline Philomene (Chartrand) Spence. She married Stuart Barr in June of 2004. Karen lived in Eddystone until she was 12 years old. She moved to Winnipeg with her father and his family in August 1970. After completing high school in Winnipeg, she worked for the City of Winnipeg, Parks and Open Spaces Department for over 40 years, eventually attaining the level of Utility 3 Permanent during her last working years before retiring. Karen loved nature and the woods. She loved bird-watching both in Winnipeg and back at home in Eddystone. She would travel back home to Eddystone whenever she got the chance. She loved music and her favourite band was the Moody Blues. She was a very good singer. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services in Ste Rose Chapel oversees arrangements. Her funeral service will be held at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Aboriginal Catholic Parish, 265 Flora Avenue, Winnipeg, on February 4, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., with Father Francois Paradis officiating. Father Michael Wollbaum will assist. A celebration of Karen's life will follow in the Parish Hall after the service. Interment will be at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Cemetery in Eddystone, Manitoba, later in the Summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the charity of your choice.