The City of Canyon Lake presented its Jordan Ehrenkranz Spirit Award during the State of the City Address on Thursday evening.
This year’s recipient is Karen Bevans, who passed away on July 14, 2022. Her daughter, Brandi Nakakihara, accepted the award on her behalf.
“Mom was a dear friend to many in the community,” Nakakihara said as she accepted the award. “She made us smile and laugh and inspired us with her volunteerism and love for Canyon Lake and veterans. She would have been thrilled to receive this award. I thank the city on her behalf.”
A resident of Canyon Lake since 2004, Bevans served the City of Canyon Lake for more than a decade. Much of her volunteer work was centered around veterans. She was a member of the Veteran’s Day Committee and the 9/11 Patriot Day Committee. She also assisted the Quilters Club with making Quilts of Valors for Canyon Lake veterans.
Although sick with cancer and less than two months prior to her passing, Bevans planted more than 100 flags in the yards of Canyon Lake residents for the city’s Memorial Day flag project.
In July, the city honored Bevans as its Citizen of the Month. She passed away one week later.
The Jordan Ehrenkranz Spirit Award was established in 2021 to honor the late Councilman Jordan Ehrenkranz, who embodied community spirit and gave selflessly of his time and resources for the betterment of the community. Ehrenkranz was a Canyon Lake property owner for more than fifty years, a full-time resident for more than 25 years, and a member of the city council for more than 12 years.
