Wayne KARVONEN

It is with the saddest of hearts that we say goodbye to Wayne.  He was born in the midst of a prairie blizzard in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan. He grew up on the family farm, working with his dad and his big brother. He attended Big Valley School, a one room schoolhouse, and finished high school in Outlook.  Wayne attended the University of Saskatchewan for his BA, B.Ed. 

In 1971, he married his childhood sweetheart Linda. After they married, they moved to Denzil where Wayne had his first teaching job. They moved to Rosetown in 1972. Wayne taught for 29 years in Rosetown, where he and Linda raised their girls and built a life in their community.
Wayne also farmed, and expanded his family's farm in Macrorie. In his "spare" time, he worked in construction and built decks, fences, houses (including one for he and Linda), and the Rosetown Ball and Pin House that he and Linda owned and operated with their friends.
Wayne retired from teaching in 2001, and moved into a new career for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance that allowed him to engage his farming experience and love of people.  He finally decided to fully retire in 2015. He and Linda moved to West Kelowna to enjoy their time between BC and in their winter home in Indio, CA.

Wayne's true passion was enjoying quality time with his family and friends.  He worked hard, and he played hard.  Wayne loved curling, camping, fishing, golf, cards, travelling, woodworking, and time spent at lakes in Saskatchewan and Lake Okanagan with his family - especially his grandkids. He was so proud of his daughters. Family made his life complete.

Wayne is survived by Linda his wife of 54 years; his daughters Kelly (Pedro) and Shawna (Patrick), grandchildren Alex and Erica Rusnak, Dominic and Liv Reddy, his brother Douglas (Brenda), Sister in Law Pat (Dennis) and Sister in law Judy, and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Arvid and Lempi Karvonen, his Father and Mother in Law Art and Kay Sibbald, and his Brother and Sister in Law Jack and Gail Drury.

Wayne will be dearly missed by his daughters, his grandchildren, his many friends, but most of all by his loving wife.  The family would like to thank the Emergency Department, and Unit 6W at the Kelowna General Hospital for their compassion and care shown for Wayne in his short visit there.

The family invites you to join them at a Celebration of his Life at the Elk’s Hall in Rosetown, SK on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.  This will be a casual time to visit and share memories and pictures of his amazing life.  There will be a light lunch and we can drink a toast to Wayne.  If you have a favorite picture or story you would like to share please send it to us at the email address below.  

For those travelling from out of town we have reserved a block of rooms at The Country Rose Inn.  Telephone 306-882-3093.  Please mention the Celebration when booking a room.

We ask that if you are able to join us please RSVP by June 15.  If you are sending a picture or story we would appreciate getting them sooner.  RSVP to this email address: karvonenrsvp@gmail.com