Karen Kaye (Carnes) Conklin, born July 9th, 1944, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Miles and Marcella (Staley) Carnes, passed away on April 15th, 2024, in Vermillion, South Dakota, after a short illness.

Karen graduated from Lennox High School in 1962 and married Harold Lee Conklin on June 7th, 1963, in Lennox, South Dakota. Together, they welcomed two children, Pamela and Corey.

Karen was a beloved member of the Chancellor, Lennox, and Beresford communities, where she held various jobs, including many years at the family-owned restaurant, Truck Towne Cafe. She cherished her role as a teller at First Savings Bank in Beresford, especially her involvement with the VIP Club, organizing trips, special events, and commemorative scrapbooks. Karen was an active member of the Beresford Emmanuel Lutheran Church, volunteered with the Beresford Economic Development Corporation, and was a coordinator for the Beresford United Way.

Known for her excellent scrapbooking skills, Karen created over 100 books for her children and grandchildren, preserving cherished memories for generations to come. She and Harold enjoyed spending time together, whether it was exploring the Black Hills, jitterbug dancing, or attending their grandchildren's events.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Miles and Marcella, her brothers, Richard and Ronnie Carnes, and her brother-in-law, Keith Conklin. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Harold; her daughter Pamela and fiancé Tom of Burbank, SD; her son Corey and his wife Lynnette of Chandler, AZ; and her three grandchildren, Brenden Conklin of Chandler, AZ, Courtney Conklin of San Diego, CA, and Daniel Frieberg of Omaha, NE.

She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Cortland and Engie Carnes; sister-in-law, Leann Carnes; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Debbie Conklin; sister-in-law Mary Conklin, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at 5PM this Friday, July 26, 2024 at  The Bridges at Beresford Event Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to AseraCare Hospice, Kirkwood Plaza, 6009 W 41st St Unit 4, Sioux Falls, SD 57106.