Karen Kay Ricke

Karen Ricke, age 51, of Marshall, Minnesota, died surrounded by her family on Sunday, August 16, 2020, at the Prairie Home Hospice – McLaughlin House in Marshall, Minnesota. Memorial Mass is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Interment will follow in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Marshall. A walk-through visitation will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2020, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening concludes with a Prayer Service, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Occupancy limits and social distancing must be observed throughout all services. Masks are now also required at all public indoor gatherings.

Karen Kay Ricke was born on January 1, 1969, in Marshall, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Roger and Elizabeth (Kerkaert) Miller. Karen was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended school in Marshall. After graduating from High School in 1987, she continued her education at Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Karen met Roger in high school and were instant sweethearts.

On October 27, 1990, Karen and Roger were united in marriage at the Catholic Church in Milroy. The couple made their home in Marshall where Karen worked for Schwan’s and later US Bank. Karen retired from US Bank in 2018. Karen and Roger shared 30 years of marriage and have 2 children, Kendra and Chace.

Karen’s enjoyments in life were spending time with her children and husband. She loved participating in her children’s activities - especially watching Kendra in dance and Chace play baseball. Her children brought great joy and love to her life. One of Karen’s favorite family memories is the trips to Montana with her husband and children. Karen participated in Tae Kwon Do, eventually earning Black Belt status. She enjoyed jogging, stating it was a great healthy stress reliever. Karen enjoyed spending time boating and participating in water activities at the family lake cabin. She was often found lounging on the water floaters and sitting around the bonfire making smores.

Karen enjoyed her yearly “Sisters” vacation to Florida. Karen was able to check some things off her bucket list while on these vacations; last Summer Karen was able to take an airboat ride through the Everglades, something she had always wanted to do. She had a special spot in her heart for all her nieces and nephews. Karen loved spending time with Leevah (great-niece) and Morgin (great-nephew). Karen’s face lit up whenever they were together, they often seemed inseparable. Morgin was a ray of sunshine through her recent journey.

Karen was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2015. After a fall at home in 2017, she was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer. As her Doctors have stated many of times: “Karen was a True Warrior fighting the fight of her life.” She was an inspiration to her family, a true testament of courage, strength, and perseverance. Karen overcame many obstacles through her cancer journey. Karen gained her angel wings on Sunday, August 16, 2020, with family by her side. Karen reached the age of 51 years, 7 months, 15 days.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Roger Ricke of Marshall; children, Kendra Ricke of Marshall, Chace Ricke of Marshall; mother, Elizabeth (David) Miller-Peterson of Lake Sarah; siblings, Laura (Duane) May of Hartford, SD, Hope (Steve) Wilson of Billings, MT, Sarajane (Jonathon) Olson of Tavares, FL; mother-in-Law, Luella Ricke of Marshall; brother-in-law, Ron Ricke of Marshall; sister-in-law, Connie (Mike) Ricke of Brookings, SD; nieces and nephews, Katrina (Rob) Kurtenbach and their children Morgin and Leevah, Lance (Courtney) VanMoer, Zachary Wilson, Jeffrey Wilson, PaulJon “PJ” Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Ethan (Taya) May, Cody May, Dylan May; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Roger Miller; father-in-law, Tom Ricke; sister-in-law, Kris Ricke; grandparents; three aunts; one uncle; and three cousins.

The family would like to thank all you Prayer Warriors for being by our side through this journey, we could not have made it without you. A huge thank you to all the medical providers for their compassion, patience, and grace while caring for Karen. Thank you to those who have kept us in your thoughts, sent cards, brought food, given gifts, called on the phone and stopped by. It means more to us than words can say. We find peace in God’s Grace knowing Karen is no longer suffering in pain and she is now our Guardian Angel.