Karen Bevans memorial bench dedicated at park
Dozens of Canyon Lakers gathered at the Canyon Lake Veterans Memorial Park in the Canyon Lake Town Center Friday to dedicate a memorial bench to honor Karen Bevans, a beloved city resident and renowned local volunteer who died last year on this date.
City of Canyon Lake city council members, Canyon Lake POA board members and the Canyon Lake Fire Department were among those who attended, each showing their respects for Karen.
The ceremony was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. to symbolize her passing on July 14, 2022, at 2:14 a.m.
The bench dedicated Friday to honor the life of Canyon Lake volunteer Karen Bevan one year after her death is occupied by daughter Brandi Lynn Nakakihara, center, and granddaughters Brooklyn Nakakihara, left, and Sawyer Malone, right. The bench, located in the Canyon Lake Veterans Memorial Park in the Canyon Lake Town Center, was provided by donors. Photo by Kellie Welty.
Shawna Bowen, speaking on behalf of the Canyon Lake Family Matters Club and the Canyon Lake Veterans and First Responders Group, addressed the gathering. Community members, including Kasey Castillo, Steven Prince, and Tim Cook, delivered statements paying tribute to Karen.
Karen‘s family was present, and her daughter, Brandi Lynn, expressed her gratitude for the community recognition and shared a brief statement about her mother. Donuts and juice were provided to the donors and community members present for the dedication.
The memorial bench was made possible through the joint efforts of the Canyon Lake Family Matters Club and the Canyon Lake Veterans and First Responders Group. Both clubs made financial contributions and organized donation drives to collect funds from the community for the bench and memorial plaque.
Karen Bevans holds a certificate provided to her by the City of Canyon Lake in 2018 for her help during the city’s Veterans Day event that year. Friday Flyer File Photo.
The Veteran‘s Memorial Park was chosen as the location for the bench because of Karen‘s instrumental role in the park‘s creation. She had served on the Veteran Committee and actively participated in the annual Veterans Celebration held at the city.
Karen was a dedicated member of the Family Matters Club and Veterans and First Responders Group and tirelessly devoted her time and energy to these organizations. She was also involved in various other clubs within the community including the Canyon Lake Woman‘s Club, Chair Volleyball, Canyon Lake Travel Club, and the Canyon Lake Quilters Group, among others.
Shawna, a close friend of Karen‘s, spoke fondly of their friendship.
“I was honored to call Karen a friend,” Shawna said. “We had so many trips and adventures. She was truly a gem and there for anyone who needed her. I worked on several events and committees with her, and she was one of the good ones, always going the extra mile. I will truly miss her and our friendship. I am so pleased that because she was who she was, there will be an everlasting bench monument for the city to enjoy.”
“Friends of my mothers spoke about their memories of my mom and it was very touching to see how much of an impact she made not only with her friends but in the Canyon Lake community,” said daughter Brandi Lynn Nakakihara, “I am very proud of her volunteerism and commitment to Canyon Lake.”
With the dedication of the memorial bench, Karen‘s memory and her invaluable contributions to the community will be forever cherished and remembered.