03/17/2026
Karen Ann (Carey) Kanine, lovingly known as Katie, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 15, 2026. She now joins her beloved husband, Jim, in eternal peace.
Katie was born on November 11, 1936, to Ivo and Veronica (Kalahar) Carey. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Kanine; her parents; her sisters, Alice Beltinck-Paisley and MaryLou Duffy; and her brother, Donny Carey.
On June 18, 1955, she married the love of her life, James Albert Kanine, beginning a partnership that would define the rest of her life. Katie was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose world revolved around her family. A stay-at-home mother in her early years, she remained a caregiver and nurturer to her entire family for the rest of her life.
Lifelong residents of Shepherd, Jim built the home where he and Katie raised their family together. Their life was full of simple joys—dancing together, tending their garden, and playing cards with family and friends. They attended hundreds (if not thousands) of ballgames, recitals, and school events for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always cheering from the stands.
Katie was a devoted member of St. Vincent De Paul Church, where her Catholic faith remained a constant throughout her life. Her faith in God, in her husband, and in the life they built together guided her through every season.
She is survived by her eight children: Jim (Jane), Veronica “Duzy” (Scott), Bill (Carla), Bob (Tammy), Ann (Ron), Mike, Joe (Christy), and Ed (Shannon). She also leaves behind 18 grandchildren: Jim, Rachel, Becca, Matt, Anne, Jenni, Kristy, Jake, Adam, Luke, Melissa, Josh, Ryan, Katie, Steph, Nick, Skylar, and Jaden; and 21 great-grandchildren: Calder, Finley, Harlow, Bodhi, Emily, Molly, Ellie, Charlie, Sophie, Josie, Brody, Mason, Braden, Reed, Brady, Jack, Addi, Macy, Cooper, Tyler, and Fallon; and her sisters, Maggie Foote and Jackie Cline.
In her final days, Katie was surrounded by the love of her eight children, who took turns spending days and nights by her side. She was the toughest person in our family and was someone everyone could lean on. She had a special relationship with each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, knowing them not just as a group, but as individuals she loved deeply.
She will be missed more than words can express.
Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Heartland Hospice, especially Cheryl Colburn, for the compassionate care they provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.
Visitation will be on Sunday, March 22, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at St Vincent de Paul Church, with a vigil service beginning at 5:30pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 23 at 11am with a luncheon to immediately follow in the church hall.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd.
