Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at the age of 84, with her daughters by her side.
Born on May 10, 1942 in Soesterberg, the Netherlands, Karina was the cherished daughter of Bart and Maria Verhulst. In December 1964, she married Peter Isert, the love of her life, who was taken too soon from her in 1998 after a courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. She devoted her life to her family, her career, and her community. She will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, generosity, strength, sense of humor and for the love she so freely gave to everyone around her.
Karina is survived by her daughters Stephanie (Vladimir) and Tanya (Neil), grandchildren Erika (Christopher) and Sebastian, sister-in-law Gerrie, nephews Monty (Roseanne), Randy (Diane) and Jeff (Cheri), and cousins Adrie (Robert) and Elly. She was predeceased by her husband Peter, brothers and sister-in-law Rino (Gerrie), Ton and Eva.
Her greatest joys were family, gardening, art and design, painting, travel, and day trips with loved ones involving shopping with lunch and coffee with dessert. Those who knew her will especially remember her fiercely independent spirit.
She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue through her family and all those whose lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Thank you to the staff at Chartwell Bowmanville Creek for taking such good care of our mother over the past 2 years. Thank you to the medical team at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, and the stroke and palliative care units at Lakeridge Health Oshawa for their care, kindness and compassion during her final days. We are forever grateful to all of you.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home, 53 Division Street, Bowmanville. A reception will follow. A live feed will be published here, closer to the service date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Alzheimer Society, or Lakeridge Health Foundation, in memory of Karina Isert.
Mom — you are forever loved, never forgotten.
Events
Memorial Service
Reception
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Alzheimer Society, or Lakeridge Health Foundation, in memory of Karina Isert.
