Karla M. VanNingen, 77, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial Service will be 3:00 pm Friday, June 6, at Miller Funeral Home Downtown, 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD with the family present to greet friends one hour prior to the service.

Karla Marie Gruber, daughter of Carl and Mary (Heagy) Gruber, was born February 18, 1948 in Sioux Falls, SD.  She grew up in Sioux Falls where she attended Little Flower Elementary and O'Gorman High School where she graduated in 1966.

Karla was united in marriage with John VanNingen in 1967, and to this union they were blessed with three children, Candis, Heather and Diana. Karla and John later divorced.  Karla was later blessed with a daughter, Angela.

She was a homemaker with the kids until 1978, at which time she entered into a secretarial schooling program.  She began working at Business Collections where she was employed for several years.  She received the opportunity to work with residential living at Sioux Vocational Services. She was passionate about helping those who needed encouragement.  Later in 1994, she began working as an operator at Qwest Communications until she retired in 2007.  Karla's health began to decline as her retirement years progressed.

Karla had a very strong faith in God, and enjoyed her Bible Study.  The highlight of her life is her family and watching her grandchildren from time to time.  She loved visiting Montana to see her daughter, Candy's family.  She loved the mountains.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing to her pen pal, Ian, for over 50 years.  Karla challenged herself with puzzles and puzzle books.  She enjoyed arts and crafts and other art projects.  She enjoyed music from the 60's and 70's and especially liked the Beatles.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four children, Candy (Troy) Westre, Lincoln, MT, Heather Ellyson, Harrisburg, SD, Diana Ingram, Sioux Falls, SD, Angela (Chris) Newman, Warner Robins, GA;  eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Zachary (Mariah) and their children, Trace and Jonah; Shea; Rachael (Tony) and their children, Sabrina, Ela, Anthony, Roxanne, Morgan; Emilee and her children, Lillian and Emmett; Adam; Hannah; Jackson; Mary;  a sister, Deborah Dede(Roland Horstman) Dell Rapids, SD; niece and nephew, Jessica (Derrick) DeWitt and Jay (Ashlee) Horstman; and several other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.