Yolana Karnafel

It is with peace in our hearts that we advise of the gentle passing of Yolana Karnafel with family by her side. Yolana was predeceased by her beloved husband Andrew (2018) and son Leonard (2014). Mom never really recovered from her grief over the last 8 years.

Yolana was born in Radosina, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). She was the youngest of 10 children born to Veronika and Josef Wajcner. She was predeceased by her parents as well as all nine of her siblings: brothers Steve, John, Anton, Rudolph, and sisters Jospehine Matecka, Toni Kendall, as well as sisters that resided in Slovakia: Emilia Minarvic, Maria Krajcir, and Anna Jakubociovia. Yolana is survived by her daughter Connie Doss (Charles), grandchildren Ariel Haug, Braden Doss (Nicole) and great grandchildren Dominic Doss, Oslo and Bridger Haug, her cherished niece Eda Bannerman (daughter Carla Martin and grandchildren Rex and Maddy Martin), nephews Bruce Kendall (son David) and Calvin Kendall (Betty Lou and children Ian and Dawn (Rob) and new granddaughter (Ava), niece Caroll Mravinic, nephew Peter Karnafel and their families. She also has number of nieces, nephews and their families in Canada and Czechoslovakia.

Yolana immigrated to Canada with her family in June 1937 and settled in Manitoba. Her family farmed in the Starbuck area. She met Andrew in Winnipeg and married November 25, 1946. They had two children; Leonard and Connie. They lived Winnipeg until March 2017 at which time they moved to Regina to be closer to their daughter and family. In Regina, Yolana resided at Aspira Riverbend Crossing Memory Care. We would like to thank all the staff for their loving care and attention since her move there in 2018.

In earlier times, mom loved to visit with family, friends and neighbours. She was a homemaker all her married life. No one could enter their home without an offer of some refreshment, as well as some of her excellent baking or cooking. She would also extend her hospitality to include friends of Len and Connie. Dementia stole treasured memories from herself and our families. This was compounded by vision loss, very poor hearing and increasing physical limitations.

Funeral services will be held on Monday October 24th, 2:00 p.m., at Thomson in the Park Funeral Home.

Flowers gratefully declined. Should you wish to make a donation in her honour, please consider the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301-2550 12th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 3X1.