Sriyani Manel Karunaratne, 82, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away in Sioux Falls, SD on February 4, 2026.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm with a Time of Remembrance to follow at 3:00 pm, Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Miller Funeral Home (Downtown location) 507 S. Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. The service will be streamed at https://youtube.com/live/CG00TD7_5eU?feature=share

Manel (Sriyani) Karunaratne (our mom) was born in the island nation of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, on October 31, 1943. She had a wonderful childhood with her mom, dad, brother and two sisters. She met her husband (our dad) Gasper, and had three children together. Maithri (Baxter), Dammika (Karu), Jagath (Karun). She would work diligently to obtain a degree in Montessori Education. This would serve as the spring board for a better life for our entire family.

Due to civil unrest and political strife in our country of birth, our father devised a plan to move to what he considered to be the greatest country in the world. He would give up his lifelong career in law enforcement, and Manel would move to the US in 1973, by herself, leaving her cherished family behind to pave the path for a better life for all of us.

She came to the US and began the process of slowly bringing all of us here legally. We could never imagine the hardships, and the sorrow she endured, all the while, knowing that there was an endgame. Our dad and youngest brother finally reunited with her a year later. Over a year after that, my sister and I traveled, as unaccompanied minors, to see mom, dad and our little brother. Everything Mom worked and sacrificed for came together at an airport in Minneapolis. Eventually, we would all end up home, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where, once again my mom helped start a Montessori school with our friends. Her hard work was, for sure, taken for granted by everyone in her life. Every morning she made sure we had breakfast before she put in a full eight hours. Almost every night, she cooked amazing meals that we enjoy to this day. Every birthday, every event, every holiday, and even something as simple as the Super Bowl, was a feast done entirely by our mom. She worked full-time, and was the absolute glue that held our entire family together. She did so, all the while, touching the lives of hundreds and hundreds of kids with her exceptional ability to reach them, see them, hear them, and motivate them. Manel would receive graduation notices from high schools, colleges, med school, and other graduate programs from students that she taught when they were only four or five years of age. It's hard to imagine what a difference she must have made, for them to remember, and reach out, so many years later. But that was our mom. She loved everyone of her 10 grandchildren in their own way. Kaden and Carter Karu were especially fortunate to have her be a regular part of their life. After our father was killed in a car accident, my mother lived with her amazing sister, Judy and her niece Lanka. When our aunt and cousin moved to Minnesota, mom lived with her cherished daughter-in-law, whom she only referred to as "daughter", Heather, Dammika (me) and our two boys in Sioux Falls. Spending every day with her beloved two grandsons. She spent countless hours teaching them and showing them unconditional support. She was never stingy with words of affirmation and would always lead with kindness. She took great pride in paying attention to people and greatly appreciated that dignity being reciprocated. To know her was to be in awe of her humanity. One would quickly realize that we can all be better versions of ourselves by simply observing her empathy and love. It is no exaggeration to say that an entire novel could be written of her life and her immeasurable contribution to her family, this community, and this country. She is beloved by her dear friends and frankly, people that only met her for a short time. We will miss everything about her. We will carry her torch of living a life to be better for someone other than ourselves. She sacrificed and was selfless. She hugged, kissed, gave the best scratches and couldn't be cuddled with enough. My God, we're all going to miss her. We love you forever, mom. Every member of our family exists today because of you. We will never be able to pay you back for any of it. You are now free of pain, fear, strife and uncertainty. We will all see you again.

She was preceded in death by her father, husband, mother, and grandson (Andrew)

She is survived by her three children; her daughters-in-law Heather Karu and Allison Karun. Her son-in-law Bob Baxter. Her grandchildren; in no particular order: Kaden and Carter Karu. Whitney, Hope, Faith and Lauren Baxter; Caitlin, Elina and Josh Karun; and Dakota Driver. She is also survived by her brother and sister in Sri Lanka and their children; her sister Judy and her daughter Lanka; and Romaine Buck, whom she loved like a daughter.

If anyone would like to donate to any charity of your choosing, in her name, she would've considered that to be a great honor.