April 13, 1936 – February 2, 2022
Karen L. McGuire, 85, of Sioux Falls passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, February 7 at St. Michael Parish in Sioux Falls. George Boom Funeral Home of Sioux Falls was in charge of arrangements.
Karen Lucille Gill was born on April 13, 1936 to Lester and Genevieve (Schamp) Gill. While growing up on the family farm in Timber Lake she attended a one room country school. To stay in town for high school, Karen worked for her room and board. She graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1954.
In 1954 she married her high school sweetheart, Robert "Bob" McGuire. In the first year of marriage, Karen and Bob traveled around while Bob was serving in the military. Settling in Rapid City, they welcomed five children to their family. Work opportunity moved them to Sioux Falls in 1963 where they added two more to the family.
Karen dedicated her life to being a mother, wrangling seven children without complaint. Karen, in her gentle kind way took joy in caring for her family and supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives, always offering positive and encouraging words.
Karen was a passionate homemaker and volunteer. When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found volunteering at church and throughout the community. Karen and Bob’s home always welcomed visitors in need a place to stay. Many visiting relatives and traveling nurses have enjoyed the delicious cooking at Karen and Bob’s home. She volunteered as a Catholic visitor at the local hospital and found a paid job doing what she loved, taking care of babies. Once both Karen and Bob retired, they spent their summers in Sioux Falls with all their family and escaped to Arizona for the winters.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Robert “Bob” McGuire of Sioux Falls; their children, Deby McCauley of Sun City, AZ, Keith (Deb) McGuire of Sioux Falls, Jim (Dianne) McGuire of Sioux Falls, Kim (Alan) Hochhalter of Fargo, ND, Daneen (Kevin) Curley of Sioux Falls, and LeAnn McGuire of Sioux Falls; 23 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; her sister, Sister Phyllis Gill of Sioux Falls; her brother, Larry (Janet) Gill of Timber Lake; and many other relatives and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Genevieve; infant
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Genevieve; infant daughter Robin McGuire; daughter Renee Kreun and her husband, Wes; and two sisters, Deloras Kraft and Nadine Coleman Gill.