Kim Stokke’s Story
Kimberly Dawn (Crawford) Stokke was born in Watrous, SK. Kim was a nurse and also built a farm with her husband of 25 years, Greg. Together they had two sons, Spencer and Preston.
Kim’s priority and greatest pleasures came from spending time with her family. She enjoyed camping, boating, skiing, and snowmobiling with them. She was an avid animal lover and was seldom found without one of her little dogs by her side – first Shelby, then Daisy, Wyatt, and most recently, Copper. Kim enjoyed her daily trips to the farm to feed the cats and take Copper for a walk. When the family purchased a cabin at Elk Ridge, SK, Kim enjoyed spending time renovating and decorating, creating the perfect getaway and legacy for her family.
Kim was a proud, a loving and a devoted Mom. She was elegant and graceful every day of her life. Kim’s legacy was her boys, Preston and Spencer, and she did an amazing job raising them. She passed along her most important values: love, honesty, hard work, and togetherness.
Her purpose was family. She loved watching and supporting the boys at their swim meets and, of course, their hockey games. Kim’s favourite team was always the team that Spencer and Preston were on, but the Edmonton Oilers were a close second.
Kim was quick-witted and an extremely funny person. Her smile, resilience, and positive attitude left no clues of any health burden. Her humour never faded, even on her most challenging days.
Kim was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2014 after she discovered a mole. She battled incredibly hard including four operations, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and many tests and scans. She controlled her diet and exercised. She never backed away once from treatment and science. On top of that, she had faith, hope, spirit, and strength. She had peace and love, and she loved her life.
Kim gave all of herself to others, she was unselfish and caring, and never complained once in her nine-year cancer journey. She always put others first. She bared all her burdens, worries, and problems inside so others didn’t have to worry. She was courageous and greatly respected for her internal strength. She had a tremendous competitive spirit. She was a fighter and a winner.
Kim had life figured out. She lived with purpose, with love. Her attitude, her mindset, her lifestyle never waivered. There was no self-pity, no complaining. She was so strong and independent. Her spirit was never broken. And when she spoke, the words were purposeful, meaningful, and quite often funny.
She accepted the things she couldn’t change and choose to live a great life, on her terms. She had serenity, calmness, peacefulness. She had incredible courage and strength her whole life. She had wisdom.
Kim passed away on January 21, 2023, at the age of 50.
Greg believes her life was extended because of the care and treatment she received from the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. “I’m grateful for the care she received from all the staff at the cancer center including the people at the front desk, the nurses, technicians, and doctors.”
Greg, Preston, and Spencer chose to honour Kim’s legacy by gifting a special boutique where cancer patients can try on and choose wigs and other head coverings. It is the Stokke’s hope that Kim’s story provides encouragement and strength to others in their fight against cancer.
