Obituary of Karen Laura Tolsma

Karen Tolsma, age 65 of Yankton, SD passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, January 16, 2017 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, SD with Rev. Molly Carlson officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Karen was born on June 12, 1951 to Harold and Martha (Gall) Wieczorek in Wishek, ND. She grew up in Parkston, SD and graduated High School in Springfield, SD. Karen married Gerald Tolsma in Springfield, SD whom she later divorced. She had 5 children: Tania (Pat) Wieseler of Waseca, MN, Chad (Amanda) Tolsma of Fergus Falls, MN, Jerod Tolsma of Yankton, SD, Heather (Todd) Hochstein of Sioux Falls, SD, and Amanda (Mark) Gieske of Sioux Falls, SD. Karen went to cosmetology school. She worked at Hancock Fabrics, Craisy Daisy Popcorn and Hy-Vee. Karen enjoyed her time with her kids and grandkids. She loved all crafts and gardening and serving others. Karen enjoyed being on a motorcycle and taking trips with her significant other, Ronnie Prater. Karen is survived by her sons, Chad (Amanda) Tolsma and Jerod Tolsma; her daughters: Tania (Pat) Wieseler, Heather (Todd) Hochstein and Amanda (Mark) Gieske; her significant other, Ronnie Prater of Yankton, SD; 14 grandchildren; her sisters: Arline Davisson of Clermont, IA, Norma Gran of Irene, SD, Pauly (Gary) Eaton of Spirit Lake, IA and Rose (Larry) Hornstra of Armour, SD and many nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donald; her grand-daughter, Alexis; sister-in-law, Marlene; brother-in-law, Jim; and nephew, Robert.