Obituaries

April 10, 2012 – August 25, 2023

Karissa Sitko sadly passed away on August 25th, 2023, after a 10-month battle with brain cancer. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded with love, listening to her music with her Mom and Dad holding each of her hands. Karissa was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta to loving parents, Cody and Tanja Sitko. From the very start, Karissa was happy and full of smiles. She was known to her friends and family as a hilarious, loud, and loving girl, full of energy. Karissa loved to be crafty. She was very talented with her art and drawing from a young age. She was also someone who loved to entertain and to be entertained. She loved to watch YouTube videos with misheard song lyrics. She loved to laugh at the things people thought they heard in songs. She would find the videos and we would all laugh together. She loved to make people laugh and smile... and that, she certainly did. Karissa’s dream was to be a child life specialist, someone who helps children like herself who are going through big changes in their lives medically. We were lucky to have a special lady who helped us and inspired this dream of Karissa’s. Karissa always wanted to help people. Her soul was as pure and filled with love as it possibly could be.

Karissa was an excellent student. She loved her school and her teachers. Just days before her symptoms appeared, Karissa was awarded a Striving for Excellence Award from the Grande Prairie Public School Division. It was a big night for her, and we were so proud of her for her achievements. She was smart, respectful, and kind. She was the best. Karissa loved gaming with her brother, her dad, and her friends. She had YouTube channels where she made gotcha videos, did tutorials and played games. She loved collecting Pokémon cards and plushies too. She knew so much about Pokémon, it was mind boggling. Karissa had such a zest for everything she did. She was a bright light to all who knew her and when she was near, you could literally feel her energy and see her personality light up every room she entered.

Karissa is survived by her parents Cody and Tanja Sitko, her brother Emmett Sitko, and many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, as well as her Nana, Shirley Bowering. Karissa was pre-deceased by her Papa, Wayne Bowering Sr., her Grandmother, Gail Sitko, and her Grandpa, Richard Sitko.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bear Creek Funeral Home, 11802 99 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB, on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Please join our family in remembering her bright and beautiful life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Karissa to the Kids With Cancer Society.

Karissa’s service will be live streamed for those who cannot make it to her celebration.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bcfh.ca