Karen Faye Streilein
November 21, 1956 – August 26, 2026
It is with profound sadness and love that we announce the passing of Karen Faye Streilein on August 26, 2026. Karen passed away at the age of 69 after a courageous 8-month battle with cancer.
The second of three children, Karen was born on November 21, 1956, to Jake and Vi Dyck. Karen always had a passion for animals, enjoying hours on the family acreage in her late teens and into adulthood. Karen valued time with family and continued to bring her children to her parents’ home for many adventures such as horseback riding, alpaca shearing, tobogganing, ice cream churning, and rollkuchen and watermelon feasts.
Karen was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Family and friends remember her as someone who loved sacrificially, was deeply generous, and possessed quiet strength. She loved God wholeheartedly and trusted in Him through every season of life, including these final months. Her steadfast faith and hope in the Lord were an inspiration to those around her.
Karen dedicated her career to caring for others as a paediatrician. She had a particular passion for supporting children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. In many ways, Karen was a pioneer in the field of developmental paediatrics in Saskatchewan as she was a mentor to her colleagues and focused on new learning opportunities and innovative care options.
More than anything, Karen was devoted to her family, always putting her children and grandchildren first. Some of Karen’s greatest joys included hosting weekly family dinners, reading to and spending time with her grandchildren, quilting, embroidery, and many other creative hobbies, and having her dog as a constant companion.
Karen was predeceased by her mother Vi Dyck. Karen is survived by her father Jake Dyck; siblings Cheryl (Charles) Gammel and Brian (Carol) Dyck; husband Dennis Streilein, from whom she was separated; children Janel (Marc) Pituley, Kendra (Tony) Papalia, Michael (Kaitlyn) Streilein, Derek Streilein, and Annika (Nathan Swinton) Streilein; and seven grandchildren.
Though we grieve her passing, we rejoice in the assurance that she is now in the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whom she faithfully loved and served throughout her life. We hold onto the promise we have in Jesus that we will one day be reunited with Karen in heaven.
Karen’s Celebration of Life will be held at Cornerstone Church, 315 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon, SK, on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. with a reception and light refreshments to follow. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE FOR KAREN STREILEIN
Karen’s family would like to thank all the medical staff at RUH and the Cancer Centre who helped Karen with her cancer journey and the Hospice at Glengarda staff for the loving care they showed Karen in her last few weeks.
As Karen was an advocate for complementary therapies and loved horses, in lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canadian-therapeutic-riding-association/
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
14 Responses
To Michael,Katelyn and family
Our prayers have been with you as you’ve gone through this difficult journey. And continue
as you grieve the passing of your dear mom. Praying that God’s peace surrounds you.
With love, Mary and Emery
To Janel, Michael, Kendra, Derek and Annika (& each of your own families) our deepest condolences on the passing of your incredible mom. We will continue to pray for each one of you as you each begin a different kind of grief since she has passed. She was a loved and cherished friend for over 40 years. We are sorry we won’t be able to travel to Sask. to attend her service but we will be attending online.
With much love,
Gord & Jane
I am saddened beyond belief to hear of Dr. Streilein’s passing.
My heart is heavy.
Dr. Karen was my son’s doctor while we lived in Meadow Lake Saskatchewan.
We are home in Newfoundland now but we will never forget her.
We took our disabled son to the Alvin Buckwold Center because we believe in Karen.
Dr. Streilein listened and she cared.
She worked so hard to help me through some of the darkest days of my life .
I know without a doubt that Karen is safe in the arms of Jesus because she was an angel here on earth.
I have thanked God for Dr. Karen Streilein many many times.
Well done good and faithful servant!
Well done indeed!!
So sad to hear of Karen’s passing. I am sure she will be missed by her family, many friends and acquaintances.
It has been years since iI saw her, but I do remember her well.
Praying God’s comfort over the family.
Karen was a tremendous advocate for children on the autism spectrum. Her passion and expertise will be greatly missed.
I had the privilege of working with Karen for many years and always deeply appreciated her knowledge, thoughtfulness, and genuine care for the children and families we shared. She was always willing to answer my calls, listen to my questions, and generously offer her perspective and expertise.
I greatly admired her commitment to autistic children and their families, and the courage with which she pursued the work she believed could make a difference. She was a thoughtful and dedicated professional whose knowledge and presence in our province will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Karen was an amazing, loving and caring person. She was a blessing to many through her career and by just who she was.
Praying comfort to each of the family members as you say your goodbyes on Sunday
Karen was one of my medical school classmates from the Class of 81, the first U of S medical school class which had 50% women. I remember Karen as a lovely, kind person who was devoted to her studies, her work and her patients. It is with great sadness that I learned of her passing. We shared several pediatric patients whose families commented on how helpful and caring she was to the children and the family. She went beyond in trying to investigate contributing causes to some of their symptoms. Her care was greatly appreciated. My thoughts are with her children, grand-children and family members during this difficult time. Karen will be sadly missed.
My sympathies,
Eileen Dahl
Sending our deepest condolences to Karen’s family, particularly our dear friends Kendra, Tony and their three precious daughters.
I never had the privilege of meeting Karen, however, I have had the honour of knowing her daughter Kendra during the time she lived in Perth. Kendra shared many stories about her Mum with me, and through those conversations I could sense what a very special woman Karen was.
Reading all of these messages, it is so clear what a beautiful, loving and special person Karen was and the impact she had on those around her.
Her legacy will continue to live strongly through her children and her seven amazing grandchildren, who I’m sure will carry so much of her love, strength and faith with them.
Thinking of you all and sending our love during this incredibly difficult time. 🤍
Love from Rach & Cesar
I am so very fortunate to have been able to work with Karen throughout my career as a pediatric nurse .. I worked with her when she was a resident , then as a pediatrician . Her trademark long blond braid , her calming , caring ,knowledgable , respectful presence was so welcoming in my early days on the ward .
Our paths crossed again when we worked together at ABCDP . As has been stated by others it was her deep compassion for children and families that was her gift, .. never too tired to assist a family . It was at ABCDP that I learnt of her sense of humour and quick wit and her strong principles of what was the right thing to do .
She will be missed by many , her laughter , her love for her family just the presence of who she was .
I’m thankful she is no longer suffering . My sincere condolences to her children and family .
Lynn Onushko
I had the privilege of working with Karen throughout my years as a pediatric nurse. As a resident and then a pediatrician her trademark long blond braid , her calming , knowledgable , practical , respectful caring presence always welcomed . We connected again through ABCDP . As others have said it was her devotion to the families and children that was so outstanding , never too tired to provide assistance or just to listen to the concerns . It was at ABCDP that I grew to appreciate her sense of humour and quick wit , few were as efficient as Karen .
She is no longer suffering which is good , she was taken so early and will be so very missed by her family .
It was such a privilege of mine to have worked with her.
I am so saddened that I am unable to attend her service honouring a wonderful person .
My sincere condolences.
With great respect,
Lynn Onushko
I had the great fortune to collaborate with Dr. Streilein/Karen when I supported students with autism in our schools that were also patients of hers and when she offered assessments at an in- school clinic for a few years. I was so impressed with her quiet competence, and humble expertise. She not only listened to families and other professionals but actually went out of her way to welcome all information so she could give the best care possible. She was generous in giving personal and professional time to meet the needs of children and families. She was highly respected by all in our schools. And she did it all while being kind and funny and the best that humanity can offer. I enjoyed learning more about her personally through her service and offer my condolences to all her family who were fortunate to have her as a mother/ grandmother. The world has lost a great person but it is obvious her impact and legacy will live on.