Karen Spiczka

Karen Kae Spiczka was born October 11, 1946 to Melvin and Mildred (Parmely) Bitterman in Miller, South Dakota. She grew up in the communities of Miller and Rapid City and graduated from Sunshine Bible Academy in 1964. On February 13, 1965 Karen married Francis ‘Frank’ Spiczka at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City, South Dakota. Their union was blessed with four children and 51 years of life together. Following their marriage they lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Lake Andes, South Dakota until they moved to Tyler, Minnesota in 1967. In 1972 they moved to their farm in Section 32 of Marshfield Township west of Tyler. Over the years Karen cared for the family, and worked for the US Postal Service and in the Lincoln County Extension Office. Karen remained on the farm after Frank died April 10, 2016. In 2016 she was diagnosed with cancer. On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Karen died peacefully at home with family in attendance, about one month before her 71st birthday.

Karen was a member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed helping people and had served as a foster parent. She liked doing word finds and puzzles, painting, crafts, and practicing aromatherapy. She especially enjoyed her time with the family.

Karen is lovingly remembered by her children, Carol Alexander of Tyler, MN, Ruth (Matt) Pearson of Front Royal, VA, Brenda Brown of Spearfish, SD, and Stanley (Sandi) Spiczka of Camden, SC; six grandchildren, Michael Schroer, Jeremy Schroer, Kyle Wesslink, Madeline Pearson, Abigail Pearson, and Serena Zufall; one great-grandchild, Cadyn; her mother, Mildred Engel of Yankton, SD; step-father, Lowel Engel of Blackhawk, South Dakota; her siblings, Randy (Mary) Bitterman, Rhonda (Randy) Groneberg, Pam (Don) Jones, Robby (Lonny) Drown, Denise (Ron) Wing, Luane (Robert) Vanderberg, and Craig (Annette) Engel; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; a grandson, Nicholas; her father, Melvin; and many close friends and relatives that she kept close to her heart and considered family.

Blessed be her memory.