Karen J. Johnson, 92, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Sanford/USD Medical Center.

Graveside Service will be 11:00 am Friday, October 4, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation with the family present will be 3:00 – 5:00 pm Thursday, October 3, at Miller Funeral Home Downtown, 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD.

Karen Joann Smith, daughter of Eugene "Bud" and Rose (Pahl) Smith, was born September 9, 1932 in Highmore, SD.  She was raised there and graduated from Highmore High School.

She moved to Sioux Falls for a couple years working various positions.  She and a girlfriend decided to move to Minneapolis, MN where she worked for an insurance company for a few years.  She had met a young man in Sioux Falls by the name of Deane Johnson who she had kept close contact.

Karen was united in marriage with Deane Curtis Johnson on September 29, 1956.  They settled in Sioux Falls where they were blessed with three sons, Eric, Michael and John.  She was a homemaker until the boys grew older.

In 1976, she began working in Environmental Services at Sioux Valley Hospital which later became Sanford/USD Medical Center.  She retired in 2014.

Karen loved being with her family and being a grandmother.  She enjoyed board games, current events and cooking shows.  She really enjoyed life and enjoyed history. She was very self-sufficient up until her death.

She was a longtime member of Christ the King Catholic Church.  She had a strong faith.  She watched mass on the television every week.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three sons, Eric Johnson (Cherie Banks), Sioux Falls, SD, Michael (Lori) Johnson, Ft. Myers, FL, John Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD; and two grandchildren, Patrick and Kasia Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Eugene and Luverne; a sister, Nadine.