- Canada, Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current -
- Shop now for incredible insights into your wellbeing -
Kryczka, Karen
Progressive Conservative MLA, Calgary West
Karen Kryczka was elected the Progressive Conservative MLA for Calgary-West on March 11, 1997, winning her riding in a strong 16-day campaign. Her current legislative duties include serving as Chairman of the Seniors' Advisory Council for Alberta and as a member of the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services.
Karen Pearce Giebelhaus was born in Edmonton on November 24, 1940. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Psychology) from the University of Alberta, as well as a Bachelor of Education Degree (Social Studies) and a Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology from the University of Calgary. She has worked as a Guidance Counselor for the Calgary Board of Education, helping students at Currie, A. E. Cross and Ernest Morrow Junior High Schools and Bowness Senior High School. Karen also has worked as Manager of the Delta Bow Valley Hotel Dining Room and as Personnel Manager for Bennet Jones Verchere Barristers and Solicitors. Karen also has served as a contract corporate fundraiser for the United Way of Calgary and Area, and a consultant for job transition and career search programs.
In 1995, Karen first entered into the political arena, placing a close second as an aldermanic candidate in the City of Calgary civic election.
Over the years, Karen has maintained an active interest in community projects. She completed four years of a six-year term as Senator for the University of Calgary Senate, serving as Chairman of the Annual Senate Seminar, Chairman of the Public Communications Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Strategy Committee and member of the Program Committee. For many years, Karen was a member of the Stephen Avenue Mall (Civic) Board and remains on the Reception Committee of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.
An avid supporter of amateur sport, Karen was a member of the Team Atlanta Gala Committee (recognizing the 1996 Canadian Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team); President of the Calgary Aquabelles' Synchronized Swimming Club; Vice-President of Administration, Alberta Synchronized Swimming Association; a Director of Sport Alberta Board of Directors; and a member of the Alberta Sport Hall of Fame and Museum Committee. She also is a past President of the University of Alberta Alumni Association (Calgary Branch), a past Director of The Glencoe Club and The Glencoe Golf and Country Club and a past member of the Mount Royal College Secretarial Arts Advisory Committee. Her professional affiliations have included the Alberta Teachers' Association, the Human Resources Association of Calgary, the Calgary Legal Administrators Association and the Human Resources Institute of Alberta.
Karen lives in the community of Christie in Calgary-West with her husband, Gord May. She has two children, Kelly and Mike, and enjoys spending family time, especially with her five (soon to be six) grandchildren.
