Karen Brenda Abel

19th February, 1957 - 24th May, 2014

Karen passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, 24th May at age 57. She is survived by her daughter Stephanie, sister Kelly (Glen) of California, mother Peggy McDonald Bienert and step-father Eldon Bienert; step-sister Debbie Regehr (Kevan) and family, step-brother Garry Bienert (Margie) and family. She was predeceased by her father Bruce McDonald in 1968, and by her grandparents.

In 1960 the family moved to a farm just east of Millet where they continued raising and showing Morgan horses. Following Bruce’s passing, Peggy, Karen and Kelly moved to Dawnville Farms near Leduc, where with Eldon a training and Morgan breeding farm has prospered and grown. Karen trained horses and riders who showed and were successful at the highest levels, including the World Morgan Championship show at Oklahoma City, Canadian National Morgan at Regina, as well as shows in the lower Mainland B.C., the Northwestern U.S. States, and all over Alberta. She came up through the first 4-H horse programs, was active in the Morgan organizations, and into the horse judging world.

Of late she has been very active with the very young and upcoming riders and became an idle to them, taking in many shows and doing very well. Her days were very full taking care of the boarding and training horses and working with her many students young and old. Her illness of the past year slowed down these activities, but she kept on with her work as much as possible, until her sudden passing.

The Funeral Service for Karen will be held Friday May 30th at 1:30 pm at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, 49245 Rge. Rd. 250, Leduc Co. (half mile north of Dawnville Farms)

Memorial donations may be made to the Equine Foundation of Canada, R.R. 2, 326 Dyke Rd., Falmouth, N.S. B0P 1LO or First Baptist Church, R.R. 2, Leduc, AB T9E 2X2

Arrangements under the direction of Hainstock & Son Funeral Chapel, Leduc, AB.