Obituary of Carlene Joyce Kobylka

It is with immeasurable sorrow that the family of Carlene Joyce Kobylka (nee Maddaford) announces her passing on October 5, 2021. Carlene was born on a very windy day, October 30th, 1966, in Yorkton, SK to Lorne "Duke" Maddaford and Delores Moritz. Carlene was generous, and fiercely loyal. All her life Carlene was very independent and determined and thanks to her friendly, outgoing nature she easily made many friends and acquaintances. She received her education in Yorkton, graduating from the Yorkton Regional High School in 1984. Carlene ventured into the working world early in life. While attending Jr. high school she maintained a steady babysitting job and later obtained employment with Bonanza Steakhouse and then at Creative Image Video Rentals. After graduating, Carlene started working at CAA in Yorkton and remained there for over 33 years until illness forced her to take leave in the late fall of 2018. Carlene grew up in Yorkton, and spent much of her time at her Uncle John and Aunt Lesley's farm, which was like a second home. Throughout the years, she partnered with her sister Denise and cousins Joan and Darlene in terrorizing her younger brother Neil. With a twisted sense of humour, Carlene, Joan and Denise made prank phone calls to their grandmother. Later, Carlene made lifelong friends with Kelli and Kelly who fostered Carlene's adventurous spirit with a shared love of travel. Carlene had two great loves in her life: Devin and Jerry. Devin, her "special little guy" was born in 1985. Being a single mom certainly was not easy. Independent and determined as ever, Carlene did everything possible to give Devin the life she knew he deserved. She was exceedingly proud of her little boy, and that pride only grew as he matured into a man, a husband, and a father himself. While Carlene's unending love for Devin often blinded her to his shenanigans, the family often reminisces about a time that Devin was so bad, Carlene was driven to chase him around the house with a fly swatter. In 1992, Carlene met her soulmate, Jerry Kobylka, at Holly's where she first fell in love with his dancing. In a more formal setting, their first official date would happen about a month later when they went for coffee. In the summer of 1992, on a trip to Kansas City to watch baseball, Carlene realized that Jerry was her one and only. And Jerry must have felt the same when he put Carlene's six suitcases in his Dodge Colt. They were married on May 25,1996. Jerry was truly devoted to Carlene and he remained steadfastly by her side even during the darkest of days. Carlene's rock, Jerry, was the diamond in the rough that she had been looking for (and we all know how much she loved bling). Carlene's love for Jerry and Devin manifested itself in a willingness to do anything for them. She became an avid supporter of their interests, spending hours in the bleachers watching Devin and Jerry play ball, keeping herself busy during Jerry's long hours on the golf course, and supporting their love of the Boston Bruins. The loyalty Carlene exhibited to Jerry and Devin was echoed in her treatment of others that were in her circle. If you needed help, she would be there! Carlene was also an exceptional host and wanted anyone who entered her house to know they were welcome. No guest's needs would go unnoticed and she would always go above and beyond to make them feel comfortable by stocking their favourite coffee or tea, making their favourite dishes or feeding her grand-dog by hand when Dexter refused to eat. Carlene loved to travel and recount her adventures. She was fortunate to have been able to visit various locations in Europe, U.S, Jamaica, Hawaii, and Mexico during her lifetime. Carlene's love of travel was only matched by her love of shopping. An avid shopper, Carlene would spend hours in outlet malls in different destinations leaving Jerry to pass the time in a local watering hole, watching any type of sporting event. Sure Paris has the Eiffel Tower, but did it have a Designer Shoe Warehouse? Her love of shopping led her to spoil those around her. No price was too high when someone who she loved wanted something. Closer to home, Carlene simply enjoyed visiting friends and family, celebrating birthdays and holidays, tending to flowers in the yard, playing cards and board games. Above all else, Carlene enjoyed spending time with her three beautiful granddaughters. Carlene would spend hours playing Barbies, having picnics on the floor, pretending to be princesses, going to the park and having dance parties with "her girls." She would always bring Isla, Emmerson and Azelyn treats or other special surprises in her purse, which the girls were excited to grab for her. Often to the chagrin of their parents, the girls learned early that if there was something that their parents wouldn't give them, they could always ask Grandma. It was important to Carlene that her grandchildren had lots of experiences so that they could find the things they loved. Another girl that had a special place in Carlene's heart was her niece Carissa. Carlene loved to spend time with Carissa, taking her to her dance lessons, going to the circus, having sleepovers, movie nights and going on special trips. Carlene would spend hours playing dolls with Carissa, helping her learn to read and making sure she knew how to properly parallel park, which she did while holding the emergency handle and almost putting her foot through the floor slamming on imaginary brakes. Carlene was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Sometimes life presents us with obstacles that we are not meant to overcome. Carlene faced such a challenge and, in her true fashion, she did so head on, knowing deep down it was a battle she would probably not win. Not ever did she feel sorry for herself, often hiding pain and sadness behind her silent tears. Instead, she focused on spending time with those that mattered to her most, including daily lunches with her mother and sister. For three years she fought her cancer privately and valiantly, far exceeding the expectations of such a diagnosis. Carlene fought with every ounce of her being until she had nothing left to give. On the morning of October 5, 2021, Carlene left us. Although our hearts are broken, we will take solace knowing that "goodbye" doesn't mean forever, it only means until we meet again! Until then, Carlene, rest in everlasting peace and know that you will continue to live on in our hearts and memories. The family would like to offer its sincere thanks to the nurses of the chemotherapy unit at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Predeceased by her father Lorne (Duke) Maddaford along with her maternal and paternal grandparents, Carlene is survived by her beloved husband, Jerry; her son, Devin (Brittney) and granddaughters, Isla, Emmerson & Azelyn Maddaford; her mother Delores Moritz; sister Denise Maddaford (Glenn Krahenbil); brother Neil (Bonny) Maddaford & Carissa; mother and father in-law, Irene and Peter Kobylka; brother in-law, Brian Kobylka; sister in-law Leanne (Darrell) Mohr, Aurissa & Jenna; brother in-law Layton (Lisa) Kobylka, Aiden & Karys, along with numerous friends and family. The funeral service was held on Friday, October 15th 2021 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey officiating. Tributes were given by Carissa Maddaford, Darlene Hollstein and Kelli Blazeiko. The interment took place in the Garden of Devotion with son Devin as the urnbearer. Memorials in Carlene's memory may be made to the Health Foundation for use in the Chemotherapy Department. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Service Details. Service When: Friday, October 15th, 2021 2:00pm Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Carlene Kobylka October 30, 1966 - October 5, 2021 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book