Obituary of Lori Helene Karlson

Lori Helene Karlson (Kosiorek) April 23, 1961- March 6, 2022 It is with great sadness that we are announcing the passing of Lori Helene Karlson on March 6, 2022. Lori was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2020 and fought courageously and quietly until her passing early Sunday morning. Lori Helene Kosiorek was born in Manning, Alberta on April 23, 1961. She was the eldest child of Frank and Wanda Kosiorek. Lori grew up in Manning until Grade 7 and then they moved to the farm in Hawk Hills with siblings Roxanne, Wade and Derrick. As the eldest, Lori took on many responsibilities around the house while her mom Wanda worked in town. Lori is credited as having saved Wade and Derrick’s lives on more than one occasion as they were always getting into something. They fondly remember Lori as being the chief organizer of all chores and she certainly made sure they were completed. Lori loved to figure skate and spent many hours at the arena through out every winter with her greatest friend and sister Roxanne always at her side. Living in Hawk Hills made it challenging to pick up the girls after skating but luckily Grandma and Grandpa Zaychkowski loved to have them stay. Many of Lori’s good friends also skated so the girls did not mind the odd time when they were able to stay in town. Lori’s father Frank did his best to keep his girls safe and moving them 20 miles from town when Lori was going into grade 7 seemed like a sure plan. When Lori was in Grade 8 Raymond Karlson came to school in Manning from Deadwood and Lori’s life was forever changed. With over 40 miles between their two homes, one would think the young love wouldn’t last long. Raymond put many miles on his truck following Lori in the subsequent years as she finished high school, took business at Grant MacEwan in Edmonton and followed that with Grande Prairie College for a year. Lori married the love of her life and best friend, Raymond Karlson on October 23, 1982. Lori and Raymond moved to Edmonton in 1983 where Raymond worked for the Shell Scotford Refinery and Lori worked for the Auditor General of Alberta. Being independent was important to Lori and throughout most of her life she also loved the challenges and associated comradery that her various employment positions brought. In 1986 they were drawn back to Manning and shortly after had the opportunity to buy the Petro Canada Bulk Station in town. Once back in Manning, Lori and Raymond started their family: Ross was born on January 17, 1987, followed by Jordan on September 14, 1990. The two boys were the center of their world, and they soon purchased their first home. Life in Manning was full of family and friends and being hockey parents kept their young family busy. Business life changed and Raymond went to work outside of the Bulk Station, with Morgan Hydrocarbons and then Penn West. Lori stayed running the bulk station for a short period of time until the opportunity to work with Nor-tech Systems and then Patricia Ford completed her Manning resume. In 2007, Raymond was transferred to Drayton Valley with Penn West while Lori stayed back with Jordan so that he could graduate with his class in Manning. In 2008, Lori and Raymond moved to their current home in Drayton Valley where Lori was able to work with Independent Electric and Controls, and soon they had a community of new friends. Ross and Jordan were back and forth between Edmonton, Manning and Drayton Valley for school and work. Lori loved being close to Edmonton again where she had a knack for discovering restaurants and sharing them with Raymond, her close family and friends. Lori loved to spend time outdoors staying healthy, running, cycling, hiking and kayaking to name a few (provided there were no bugs!). She also loved to travel and some of the most memorable trips were to Disney World when Ross and Jordan were young, New York, San Francisco, Italy, Kelowna, Nashville and Hawaii. She also enjoyed times at the Pigeon Lake cabin, visits to Manning and outings to Slave and Gull Lakes. It was the simple things that made Lori happy like the spur of the moment visits with Roxanne in Edmonton. They would meet at the Hotel MacDonald and eat excellent food with an overnight visit. Lori had a very discerning palate and it may surprise many that Lori began Sommelier training. Lori was so happy to welcome Randi Doll to their family when Jordan was married on November 18, 2017. Randi brought a feminine side to the family and Lori at last had a wonderful daughter. Their most precious gift came on March 19, 2021, when Lori and Raymond welcomed their granddaughter Ayla. Ayla has truly been a source of light and love for the whole family. Lori is survived by her loving husband of 39 years Raymond, sons Ross of Drayton Valley and Jordan (Randi) and their daughter Ayla of Peace River. She is also survived her mother Wanda, sister Roxanne (Daren) of Calgary, Wade (Sister-in-Law Jennifer) of Edmonton and their children Jillian and Hunter, Derrick (Bernadine) and their children Keyli (Matthew) and Kelsey (Kyle) of Okotoks. Lori’s sister-in-law Beverly (Doug) Jaeger of Manning and children Brett (Nadine), Jenna (Tyler), Melanie (Reed), brother-in-law Marc (Louise) Karlson of Okotoks, and their children Kristin (Keith) and Lindsey (Todd), and sister-in-law Lynn (Gary) Barr of Sechelt, BC. Lori was predeceased by her father Frank Kosiorek (2007) and Raymond’s parents Harry (1996) and Sally (2013) Karlson. Lori passed away in the Palliative unit in the Drayton Valley hospital; the family would like to thank Dr. Frobb in Drayton Valley and Dr. Seikaly at the University of Alberta Hospital and all the wonderful nurses at the hospitals for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, Lori’s family would appreciate that donations in her memory be made directly to Compassion House Foundation by visiting www.compassionhouse.org or to Stollery Children’s Hospital by visiting www.stollerykids.com. A private memorial will be held to celebrate Lori’s life in the spring. LIFE IS Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it. – Mother Teresa Condolences may be sent by visiting www.affinityfuneralservice.ca Arrangements in care of Dwayne Henley at: Affinity Funeral Service 5001 - 45 Avenue Drayton Valley, Alberta 780.542.3338