Karen Diann (Smith) Delbridge, 67, Red Owl, SD, died Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at the RCRH Hospice of the Hills.
Visitation will be Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 17, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Rev. Denzel Nonhof, Bishop Tony Cooper, and Rev. Thomas Gillum officiating.
Karen Diann (Smith) Delbridge was born to William Perry and Amanda (Sattler) Smith on June 4, 1946, on the Ranch at Herford, SD. Beginning her life weighing under four pounds, she attended grade school at the Doyle school 2 ½ miles from her home riding her horse Becky.
Karen attended high school in New Underwood, graduating in 1964. Later she worked for her brother Keith and wife Delores on the Vinyl Chaffee Ranch through the summer.
In June of 1965, she met her future husband at the state high school rodeo in New Underwood. She worked at Phil town in Sturgis until Karen and Harold were married at Viewfield Church on January 16, 1966. They worked on the –VO Ranch for Harold and Nylia Severson until November of 1966 when they went to work for Karen’s dad until his death in 1968. Harold and Karen moved to the Earl Kellogg ranch in October of 1968 and worked with Arlene Kellogg where they purchased Raymond Kellogg’s place. Their love for horses and livestock made ranching an enjoyable time in their lives. During this time, they enjoyed their friendships with many at the Enning Roping Club. Karen’s love for animals helped her raise bum lambs for some 50 years.
In 1976, they followed the Lord’s call to the ministry where Harold attended Lee Bible College and Karen worked in the college student center for three years. In 1979, they moved to Meadow and Pastored the Coal Springs Church of God until 1985 when they came to Union Center Pastoring the Prairie Bible Church for 23 ½ years. Karen taught a countless number of children in Sunday school, midweek Bible Study, and VBS, where each learned of God’s love and plan of salvation. She taught Sunday school at Elm Springs for many years. Karen often packed a picnic lunch, and Sunday noon meal was enjoyed under the Belle Fourche River Bridge before services in the afternoon.
Karen cooked, sewed, and helped her children in 4-H and school. She loved making cakes, Valentine boxes, Halloween costumes, and volunteering at school.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Harold; her sons and their wives, Arlin and Kathy Delbridge, Black Hawk, SD, and Chad and Dr. Karen Delbridge, Cheyenne, WY; her daughters and their husbands, Amanda and Gabriel Ruiz, Anchorage, AK, and Candace and Morgan Veit, Dupree, SD. She is survived by her grandchildren, whom are her legacy. She is also survived by five brothers, two sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Perry and Amanda Smith, and a stillborn daughter in 1969.
A memorial has been established.