Celebrating Katie Karbelk

10/15/2021 - United States, Ashburn

On September 19, 2021, my wife, Katie Karbelk, passed away. She loved to travel, and her blog will always remain a remembrance of that passion she had. I love you Katie Karbelk! I hope you’re enjoying traveling through Heaven. – Stephen Karbelk

Katie’s Obituary

On September 19, 2021, Katherine Noel Karbelk was called by God to walk among the angels in heaven.  Born in Dublin, TX, Katie lived an adventurous life filled with loving relationships, extensive travel, and many of the finer things in life that she really enjoyed. While her time was cut way too short, God gained an angel that will live within each person that had the opportunity to know her.

Katie had a passion for music theatre.  As a child, she performed in countless shows singing and dancing, often times with her mother Linda Stephens, playing the piano for her. Katie’s career in performing continued through her time at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where she acted in many of the school plays while also being on the cheerleading team.  In 2000, she spent part of her summer at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts studying Shakespeare.  Katie was also very proud that she graduated high school with an astonishingly high 4.2 GPA.

Katie attended the University of Tulsa, graduating with a BA in Musical Theatre.  Katie continued to grow her talents through their program.  While singing was her passion, she enjoyed being in the Delta Gamma sorority. Whenever we traveled near any college, Katie always wanted to see if there is a Delta Gamma house there so she could stop by and talk to her sisters. All of her friends knew her as Kay during these years, and she always referred to herself as “Kay, like the letter.”

After graduating from college, Katie went on to being a “starving artist” in New York City, working in restaurants and clubs while trying to get the big break into Broadway. She most enjoyed working at Ellen’s Stardust Diner as a singing server, entertaining thousands of people with her energetic musical talents. Katie then went to The Barn Theatre in Michigan to earn her Equity card from the Actors’ Equity Association under the name Katie Clark.

With Katie’s love for travel and entertainment, she decided to work on cruise ships to entertain guests and see the world.  For several years, Katie worked on Royal Caribbean assisting the cruise director to provide entertainment for guests.  Katie also worked as a Lifestylist on Holland America providing lifestyle related classes and entertainment to guests, including Tai Chi, dance classes, poolside events, healthy eating events and wellness classes.  During her time on the cruise ships, Katie had the opportunity to travel through many parts of the world, including Europe, northern Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska. She would tell story after story of her escapades during these times with such fondness and thankfulness for those times. Katie also made many lifelong friends with her shipmates.  Katie was the type of person that once you met her, you would always be her friend.

Katie also had a passion for fitness, working as a personal trainer for many years in Newcastle upon Tyne, England and Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She earned certifications with Revolve Group Fitness Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine, and LesMills Body Combat. Katie was the kind of trainer that would have a lifelong impact on her clients and fellow instructors with her infectious smile and ability to motivate clients push themselves  just a little harder to reach their fitness goals. 

In November 2011, Katie met the love of her life, Stephen Karbelk, when they “locked eyes” one afternoon when she was attending a real estate auction with her dear friend, Liz Hart. Katie told Liz after the auction that “that man is going to be in my life.” The next month, on December 2, Stephen and Katie went on their first date after her friends hosted a birthday party for Katie at Senor Tequila in the Brookside district in Tulsa. Katie and Stephen went on to have a love story that most people only see in the movies. They had an intense passion for each other, rarely spending any time apart.  In their first twelve months together, Katie and Stephen traveled to 42 States together for Stephen’s work, and Katie loved every minute of it.  On September 21, 2012, Katie and Stephen were married on Seven Mile Beach at the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman. When Katie was on cruise ships, she fell in love with that beach when she would visit there on port days. She said that’s where she dreamt of getting married so that’s what we did, and she absolutely loved it.

Since 2012, Katie lived with her husband Stephen in Ashburn, Virginia in the Belmont Country Club community. During that time, she made many very close friends by being an honorary member of the Mom’s Club. Even though Katie didn’t have any children of her own, she was incredibly proud to be a loving stepmom to Samantha Karbelk and the other moms welcomed her in with open arms. Katie was also a member of multiple book clubs where she was able to combine her love of reading while spending time with many of her closest friends.

Katie was a devoted wife of nearly nine years.  She loved her Stephen more than you can imagine. During their time together, they were able to travel to many parts of the world, creating memories that he will hold dear to his heart for the rest of his life. One of her favorite trips was for her 40^th birthday when they traveled to France and Switzerland.  Katie and Stephen celebrated her 40^th birthday sitting on the back porch of the Beau-Rivage Palace hotel, sitting in rocking chairs with blankets over their laps, overlooking Lake Geneva, and holding hands.  It was perfect.

Katie documented many of her travels on her travel blog – KatieKarbelk.com.  When you have a moment, please read through it, and click on About and scroll down, you’ll read about their 42 state adventures their first year together.

When Katie wasn’t traveling, she helped her husband with his real estate business and earned her Virginia real estate license.  Whenever her husband needed help with the business, Katie was always there. Many of Stephen’s clients had the opportunity to know Katie, and her passion to help others. Katie absolutely loved being a housewife, taking care of their home and their sweet dog, Picasso. Katie enjoyed going to the pool and laying out under the sun and working on her beautiful tan while reading.  She enjoyed watching Bravo TV, reading the entertainment news, catching up on the latest drama on the Real Housewives episodes, and watching the latest awards show. She’d binge watch more Netflix and Hulu shows than she probably should have, but she loved it.

Whenever Katie had a chance to go to a performance at the Kennedy Center or a weekend trip to Broadway, she was there, dressed up and ready to enjoy the occasion.  Whether they were workshopping a new production, performing the ballet, or bringing to town a popular play like Hamilton, Katie loved it.

Katie will be deeply missed and will always be loved by her husband, Stephen Michael Karbelk.  She leaves behind her mother, Linda Stephens, and her stepfather, John Woods.  Katie was the last of five children, predeceasing her two sisters, Patti Parks Johnson and Stefanie Stephens Clark, and her two brothers John Stephens, Jr., and Christopher Stephens. Katie is joined in heaven with her father, John “Padre” Stephens, who she missed ever since his passing when she was in her early 20’s. All of Katie’s cousins, nieces and nephews are going to miss their “Aunt Kay” dearly. Katie leaves behind Samantha Marie Karbelk, her stepdaughter, that she loved very much, and her beloved Picasso, a Coton de Tulear that was always by her side.

The family will receive friends Friday, September 24, 2021, from 4pm to 6pm at the Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, Virginia. All are welcome to the funeral service on Saturday, September 25, 2021 with services starting at 9:30am at Colonial Funeral Home, followed by a burial at Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Virginia. Katie’s funeral service will be available by live webcast at https://www.colonialfuneralhome.com/obituary/katherine-karbelk.

Flowers may be sent to the Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, Virginia or a donation may be made in Katie’s honor to the American Liver Foundation.