Karen Elaine (McIntyre) Wheelans

Karen Wheelans of Pierson passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Brandon, MB. on Canada Day, Monday, July 1, 2024.

Karen is survived by her best friend Deb White; daughter Debbie Henderson, granddaughter Chelsea (children, Kaiseigh, Tucker, Brantley and their father Daniel), grandson Dusty (Madeleine) (children, Raija and Willow); daughter Shelly (Lorne) Barsness of Pierson, granddaughters Katie (Huw) (children, Gwyneth and Duncan) and Courtney (Brett) (children, Cole and Cooper); son Clayton (Lori) Henderson of Churchbridge, SK, granddaughters, Brooke (Spencer) and Jenna (Jordan) (daughter, Josie); many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Clarence and Ella McIntyre; husbands Ross Henderson and Jim Wheelans; sister Marlene (Walter) Bayliss; brother Neil (Karol) McIntyre.

A celebration of Karen's life was held at the Pierson Community Hall, Pierson, MB on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

Donations in memory of Karen can be directed to 4-H Manitoba, the Humane Society or a charity of one's choice.

When I am an Old Horsewoman
I shall wear turquoise and diamonds,
And a straw hat that doesn’t suit me
And I shall spend my social security on
beer and carrots,
And sit in my alleyway of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.

I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night
And ride the old bay gelding,
Across the moonstruck meadow
If my old bones will allow.

And when people come to call, I will smile and nod
As I walk past the gardens to the barn
and show instead the flowers growing
inside stalls fresh-lined with straw.

I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair
as if it were a jewel.

And I will be an embarrassment to all,
Who will not yet have found the peace in being free
to have a horse as a best friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be
When I am old.

- Patty Barnhart

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Karen Elaine (McIntyre) Wheelans, please visit our Tree Store.