Karen (Spear Chief-Scout) Shade, 44 years old, passed away suddenly at the Cardston Health Center on January 15, 2021.

Karen resided on the Blood reserve, Alberta and is survived by her loving children Colton (Jaylynn), Kesse, and Mataya, grandson Zuhkai, and step children Montana and Sage; sisters Deborah (Gavin) Anderson, Tricia (Byron) Spear Chief, brother Sean Scout and special friend Gary Little Bear; nieces Tatjana, Ravyn, Shaquila, McKenley; nephews Rory, Jayden, Logan, Lennox, and Lewis; maternal aunts Gertrude Good Rider, Monica (Adolf) Spear Chief, Emma Brave Rock, Gloria Spear Chief, Margaret Taypotat, Carolyn (Kelvin) Spear Chief; maternal uncles Melvin (Merle) Spear Chief & Kelvin Spear Chief; paternal aunts Roseanne (Justin) Scout & Audrey Scout; paternal uncles Laverne (Anne) Blue Wings, Charlie Scout & Jordan Chief Moon.

Karen was the youngest daughter born in Fort McLeod, on September 2, 1976 to Martin Scout and Alma Spear Chief.

Karen was a very loving and kind mother, sister, daughter, aunt, niece, cousin, partner and friend to many who were drawn to her charismatic and cheerful personality. She always put others before herself. Karen's enthusiasm and compassion for others shone through in the manner in which she raised her children. She was a dedicated hockey mom in the early years of her sons' lives as she would spend endless hours preparing and travelling to various hockey games and practices for Colton and Dustin and to dance classes for Kesse and Mataya.  Karen loved being a mom and enjoyed dressing her children in the trendiest outfits. She always beamed with pride when she spoke of her children's achievements. Karen's humanitarian spirit inspired her to open her home and heart to her young nieces, nephews, and foster children. She would always offer to babysit for others, free of charge as she loved and was loved by all the children in the family. She was everyone's favourite auntie.  Karen's cheerful disposition gained her many lasting friendships with people she met in school and work on the Blood reserve, Lethbridge, North Battleford and Saskatoon. She affectionately referred to all her friends as "sisters".

Karen pushed herself to reach her highest potential and excelled in many endeavours.

She is remembered for her excellent cooking and hospitality skills as she would often visit relatives and cook for family.  Cousins would take pictures of her food and send them out while bragging "look what Karen made us for supper".

Karen was married to Shawn Shade from 1995 to 2015.  They combined their family with Montana, Sage and Dustin, than added Colton, Kesse, Makai and Mataya.  Karen was very ambitious and eager to establish roots for her growing family.  With her keen sense of business acumen, she managed to secure a mortgage in Cardston (first home owner amongst her siblings). When that home was disposed of she successfully applied and for a house on the reserve where she made a loving home for her family.

Karen's motivation to succeed led her to enroll in business administration courses at Red Crow College, University of Lethbridge, and NAIT in Edmonton. Later she continued to pursue her education with courses in nursing at the U of L.

Karen gained work experience through her employment at IGA, SAAN's and Reddi Mart in Cardston and most notably as a recruitment officer in the HR Department at Kainai Children's Services Corporation on the Blood reserve. Eventually Karen's desire to excel in the business world led her to become an entrepreneur by completing esthetician courses at Purely Inspired.  She followed her passion and opened a hair salon in Cardston eventually moving her business to her home on the Blood reserve.

Karen is pre-deceased by her infant daughter Makai Shade, son Dustin Spear Chief, nieces Shania and Cadence Black Star, father Martin Scout and mother Alma Spear Chief, maternal grandparents Allen & Isabel Spear Chief and paternal grandparents Ben & Sarah Scout.

A Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Sunday, January 24, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited to 10 guests at a time. Kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. officiating. The service will be live streamed and may be accessed via Karen's obituary on the Cornerstone website.