KAREN BEVERLY GISLASON

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KAREN BEVERLY GISLASON

(nee KALEAL)

March 21, 1943 – April 22, 2025

Karen Gislason passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Born on March 21, 1943, in Saskatoon, SK to Edward and Lillian Kaleal, Karen was raised in Saskatoon and attended King Edward school and City Park Collegiate.

At a very young age Karen entered the world of banking, a career that secured many jobs throughout her life. It was in Saskatoon that she met her future husband on a blind date, RCMP Constable Roy Gislason. They married in Saskatoon on May 25, 1963, and 1st daughter Greer was born in July of 1964. They resided there for two years, and it was here that Roy introduced Karen to the game of curling. It became their lifelong passion, and they made many friends from this game, which remain to this day! The family were transferred to Ottawa in 1966 as Roy’s career bloomed and their second daughter Carrie was born in 1967. Another career move took them to Edmonton, and after a short stay there it was on to Toronto where daughter number 3, Janis was born in 1969. The biggest move came that year shortly after Jan’s birth and Winnipeg became home for 13 years.

By this time Karen’s passion for curling matched her husband’s, she belonged to several clubs in Winnipeg and was well known for her determination to curl her two afternoons a week, dragging a baby pen, three small girls and mountains of treats as they were settled behind mom’s sheet! It took her longer to prepare for these games than it did to play them, but she was hooked!

Roy retired from the RCMP in 1982, and their final move was just down the highway to Brandon. It was here that Karen established herself in the working force and the curling world. She enjoyed employment with the Royal Bank of Canada for a short time, then with Wheat City Seeds as their bookkeeper. She then took on the role as Manager of the Brandon Curling Club where she was also a member.

Karen’s love and knowledge of the game gave her the opportunity to write a weekly curling column for the Brandon Sun and regular articles in The Keystone Curler under the tutelage of editor Resby Coutts. She took great pride in her articles, interviewing and writing about average curlers, people who had made a difference in the game not just being in the winner’s circle but for their contributions to their community through curling.



At this time, she also became President of the Brandon Ladies Curling Club and chaired the Brandon Ladies annual bonspiel. Still active on the ice she achieved success in many bonspiels and as a zone winner to the provincial Scott Tournament of Hearts. She never got to wear the coveted Buffalo but was proud to participate in each and every event. In 1993, Brandon was awarded the Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts Ladies Curling and Karen worked diligently for three years leading up to the event as a Co-Chairman. Next came the Canada Games in Brandon and once again Karen volunteered her services working with the media. Brandon was chosen to host a premier event when the 1995 World Curling was awarded to our city. Karen worked on the media bench the entire week putting out a daily newsletter, interviewing visitors and curlers from around the world; it was the highlight of her volunteering efforts and her swan song to the curling world.

She and Roy decided to become Snowbirds and spent six months in Texas and six months back at their lake home enjoying their girls and grandchildren. They enjoyed many years in their southern home until Roy’s passing in 2003. Karen then as she put it “re-invented” herself, selling both the lake and Texas properties and moving back to Brandon. She re-entered the workforce first at Guest Services and the Post Office in the Brandon Shoppers Mall and then with PR Travel. Her last job before she retired from the working world was by far the most rewarding. For six years she acted as the Office Administrator for Westman Dreams For Kids. Here she had the privilege and honour of meeting so many brave families that were facing serious health issues with their children.

Karen was a very proud mother and grandmother, and her love of family was foremost for her. She felt blessed to have all these special people in her life witness and share so many happy occasions with them. Her favorite expression to each of them was “I Love You More” and she did.

Karen was predeceased by her parents Ed and Lillian Kaleal and husband Roy.

Left to mourn her passing are her daughters Greer (Henri) Peloquin, Carrie (Kerry) Campbell and Janis (Brad) Slack; brother Craig (Barb) Kaleal. Nana also leaves her angels Karlie (Thomas) Hardy, Celine (Cassidy) Peloquin, Jessica (Mitch) Slack, Joshua Slack, Karissa (Brendon) Deg, Kerry (Teresa) Campbell; great-grandchildren Jaxon, Nathaniel, Ivy, Cade, William, and Oliver.

As per Karen’s wishes, a private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Donations in memory of Karen may be made to Westman Dreams For Kids, 404 18th Street North, Brandon, MB R7A 7P3.

Condolences: www.memorieschapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 26, 2025