Karin Kathe Irmgard (Vogeley) Greve

Karin Greve (Karin Kӓthe Irmgard – nee Vogeley) was born on November 23, 1943 in Iserlohn, West Germany and passed peacefully in her sleep on the afternoon of October 10, 2023 in Osoyoos, British Columbia.  Mom would have been 80 this November. She is survived by her daughter, Natja Schick Myhr, son, Brian Schick, special daughter-in-law, Vilma Buckendahl, grandchildren, Mikayla Myhr, Cera Myhr, Marco Horvath-Schick, Martina Horvath-Schick, her great-granddaughter, Nova Dawn and special “nephew,” Tracy Johnson and special “niece,” Reagan Johnson. She is predeceased by her parents, Hermann and Lucie Vogeley and three husbands, Donald Johnson, Harold Schick and Joe Greve. Mom also had a late in life partner, Walter Bruner, who passed away after only a few years together.

Mom immigrated to Canada in her early twenties. She worked at the Sky Line Hotel in Swift Current which helped her learn the English language. When we were young mom was well known as the “Tupperware lady.” She had the gift of gab and a great sense of humor and achieved many high sales awards. She also worked for Wheatland Home Care cleaning homes and preparing meals for seniors, cleaning other houses, the First United Church and the old Convent in Swift Current. Mom was also big into volunteering and was involved with the First United Church ladies auxiliary and the Orange Benevolent Society for many years. In 1993 mom became the Deputy Mistress for the Orange Benevolent Society Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.

Mom was proud of her heritage and was a member of the German Club in Humboldt and the German Club in Oliver/Osoyoos. Mom moved to Prince Albert in the mid 1990’s and it was there in her mid-50’s that she decided to returned to school to take her Special Care Aide course. She quipped that she had been doing the job for years and decided she might as well get the education so she would get the proper pay for it! Mom was proud to pass the course and worked in Prince Albert for a time at a senior’s home.

In 2003 mom made the decision to move to Oliver, BC. She bought a trailer in the Gallagher Lake Mobile Home Park. She was so proud to own her own home. Mom was a strong, kind, independent woman and many in the south Okanagan got to know her over the last 20 years in BC. Initially she worked for We Care and homecare through the Oliver Hospital for a time until she gained some personal clients. Mom also worked the markets around Oliver and Osoyoos. She grew vegetables and became well known for her baking, knitting, crocheting and generosity and kindness. Mom would fill her free time with hiking with her German Club and curling. She was an avid curler!

Mom loved to travel and probably visited every continent in the world; Costa Rica, New Orleans, Alaska, Hungary, Hawaii, England, Switzerland and so many more we just don’t know about! She always worked hard to save for her holidays and her travelling companions included Don and Gerry, Margarete, Gundula and of course Sandy. Her bucket list trip of all was to go to Africa where her dad was a Missionary when she was young, and in 2019 she made that dream a reality. Mom also became involved with the Red Hatters in BC and on one of their many trips she met her best friend Sandy, from Omak, WA. Soon after their meeting mom joined Sandy’s Red Hatter group in Washington and they became best friends and had many wonderful trips, great memories and good times spent together.

Mom’s spunk, humor and kindness will be missed by all who knew and loved her. As per mom’s wishes an interment will take place in Swift Current, Saskatchewan at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to a charity of your choice.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see