Karen Joan (Larsen) Stuntebeck, was born on July 17, 1940 to Pedar and Iva (Beeler) Larsen of Centerville, SD. She died of natural causes while camping and pheasant hunting with her family in Kimball, SD on October 21, 2010.
Karen was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of Scandia Lutheran Church. She attended school in Centerville all her life.
Karen married John L. Stuntebeck, the love of her life, on August 13, 1957. They lived in Centerville most of their lives where they raised two daughters, Laurie and Dawn. They lived in Parker, SD from 1979 to 1984, then returned to Centerville.
She worked with her father at Pete's Locker Service in Centerville, SD as Bookkeeper for several years. While in Parker, Karen was a Tupperware Consultant. She helped her husband John in law enforcement, was the "Diamond Lady" at JC Penney's in Sioux Falls, SD for many years until her retirement. She also spent many Wednesdays "working"with her beloved friends at Knutson's Western store in Beresford, SD.
Karen loved her family with all her heart and she thoroughly enjoyed every minute with them. She loved camping, riding horse, fishing and hunting. One of her favorite past times was attending her grandkid's and great grandkid's sporting activities. You could often hear her cheering them on from the sidelines. She was their biggest fan. She loved music and singing. One of her fondest memories was when she sang at the Grand ole Opry with Hank Williams.
Grateful for having shared her life are her loving husband John, two daughters, Laurie (Chuck) Skotvold of Centerville, SD and Dawn (Corwin) Duerksen of Parker, SD; Grandchildren, Jamie (Naomi) Martz of Centerville, SD, Justin Martz of Centerville, SD, Josh (Alyssa) Martz of Sioux Falls, SD, Luke Martz of Sioux Falls, SD, Brandi (Mike and Jaden Olson) Duerksen of Colman, SD, and Cody (Vanessa Johanssen) Duerksen of Parker, SD; Great grandchildren, Tyrell and Tucker Martz of Centerville, SD and Addison Martz of Sioux Falls, SD; Two brothers, Wallace (Gladys) Larsen of Pierre, SD and Dorwin (Louise) Larsen of Flat Rock, NC; Sister in law, Jo (Jerry) Wallace of Kimball, SD; Life long friends Ken and JoAnn Knutson and family of Beresford, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and many "adopted" children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Arvin Larsen, her Great Grandson, Treyton Martz, father in law, John Stuntebeck Sr, and mother in law, Alma (Nickols) Stuntebeck.
Funeral services will be held 10:00AM, Monday, October 25, 2010 at Scandia Lutheran Church, Centerville with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery, rural Centerville. Visitation with family present will be Sunday from 3PM to 5PM at Wass Funeral Home in Centerville.