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KAREN LYNNE KUZAK
Born: Feb 08, 1966
Date of Passing: Feb 13, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryKAREN LYNNE KUZAK
Karen passed away from complications due to cancer. She grew up in Winnipeg's West Kildonan neighbourhood in a family that celebrated their immigrant roots. The Kuzak/Anderson family history was important to Karen, and she centered this history in her home and honoured it in her creative work. She attended West Kildonan Collegiate and studied dance at the School of Contemporary Dancers.
Karen met her partner Randy Joynt through dance as a young adult and for the next 38 years, they shaped and supported each other in a life filled with art, adventure, and love.
Karen was an exceptional dance artist. An expressive, brave contemporary dancer, she danced with Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg, Le Groupe de la Place Royale in Ottawa, and O Vertigo Danse in Montreal. She performed on stages throughout North America and Europe before transitioning to focus on choreography.
Karen began making dances during her training years and choreography became her priority in the 1990s. She founded TRIP dance company with Randy in 1997 and as its Artistic Director for the next twelve years, created an organization that was a significant part of Canada's contemporary dance scene. Karen's body of choreographic work is extensive and explores her singular view of the world. Her work was constantly evolving and is in turn exacting, physically demanding, nostalgic, playful, sad, and abstract. Her aesthetic is distinctive, and you know a Karen Kuzak work when you see it. Karen’s great joy throughout her choreographic career was bringing people together, both in the studio and the theatre. During her time in dance, she made lifelong friends with her mentors, peers, collaborators, and dancers.
Karen’s creativity went far beyond the dance studio. She made hundreds of delightful and colourful hand drawn cards that celebrated the people in her life, wrapped and decorated presents with her artist’s eye, and was a talented baker who loved sharing. Her homes were always an expression of her creative soul. She saw beauty everywhere, which made an excursion with Karen an opportunity to see the world anew.
Karen had a profound connection to the Kuzak family cottage on Long Pine Lake at Ingolf, Ontario. She spoke fondly of winter trips alone with her Dad as a child and working with her Mom at the lake's lodge as a young adult. The cottage was central to the family story, and she loved growing up there with her sisters. She was a sensitive steward of the land who could name every plant and tree in the forest. She was always drawn to the water.
The pets in Karen’s life held equal standing to her people; none more so than her beloved border collie Benny. Karen and Randy bought their house on Mortimer Place in Winnipeg to give their puppy a yard, which Karen transformed into an oasis. Karen and Benny were neighborhood fixtures and she made many connections through their daily walks. Training and playing agility with Benny introduced her to a whole new community where she made enduring friendships.
Karen and Randy lived in Victoria, BC for three years and as she did everywhere she went, Karen made lasting friends. She loved the island and the ocean, and sharing this new adventure with her family and friends.
Karen was a connector, who brought people together. She made friends easily and worked hard to keep them. A vegetarian since she was eleven, Karen was strong-willed, opinionated, outspoken, and lived a life true to her values. She was also empathetic, generous, funny, and kind. When Karen loved you, you felt it.
Karen is deeply mourned by her partner Randy; sisters, Kimberley (Dana), Kathlene (Norbert), Pamela (Craig); and niece Nitara. She is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Patricia; and brother Robbie.
Karen did not want a memorial service but hoped that the people who knew her best would gather in small groups to share their memories while making new ones.
A photo biography honouring Karen's life is accessible through the ‘tributes’ link below.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2025
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Wow, what an amazing tribute Randy, I had tears in my eyes as I read this. Karen will be forever in our memories and will be sorely missed. She was a very talented girl and her memory will live through all the performing art she left behind. Eleanor and I got to know her through the many visits to our home in BC. Eleanor especially formed a special bond with Karen. One of the most memorable visits was when they made a huge pot of borscht. Uncle Stan aka Uncle Aagoo. - Posted by: Stan Kuzak (Uncle) on: Feb 23, 2025
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Karen was my little sister.... We shared values, spirituality, a great love of animals, especially dogs, and a great love of nature.... Karen was serious, so serious.... and simultaneously so playful and whimsical.... she was forever photobombing, or busting into wild dance moves at family gatherings. Karen's heart was so so big. She was beautiful and she made beauty wherever she was.....she was an artist in everything she did.... my sweet sweet sister. I feel your loss every single day. Thank you Randy for the beautifully written obituary. - Posted by: Kim Kuzak (Sister) on: Feb 23, 2025
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I am speechless to hear of Karen’s passing. Simply a wonderful woman who was always friendly and welcoming with a smile. Kathy / Norbert … so sorry for your loss !!! DL - Posted by: Dave Lysyk (Friend) on: Feb 22, 2025