Karen Sterzinger

Karen Sterzinger, age 78, of Madison, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Sanford
USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 13th at St. Thomas
Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Anthony Urban as the Celebrant. Visitation will be
5-7 PM on Friday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7 PM and
a Rosary to follow. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 12:30-1:15 PM followed by
procession to the church for mass. Burial will be in St. Thomas cemetery. Online
guestbook is available at www.rustandweilandfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
in Madison, SD.

Karen Kay Willprecht was born January 29, 1946 in Lidgerwood, North Dakota to Arnold
& Evelyn (Brockberg) Willprecht. She was raised and graduated high school in North
Dakota.  Karen attended Vo-Tech school in Minnesota and that is where she met
Donald Sterzinger. They moved to Madison in the mid-1960s, where they wed on
January 22, 1966. She was a caring and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, as
well as a dedicated employee of First Bank and Trust, where she worked for over 40
years.

Karen was an avid traveler and has been to most of the states. She would often take
her grandchildren with her on her adventures. She was always very supportive of her
children and grandchildren. Karen loved spending as much time as possible with them
and would attend many of their events. Karen was also an avid racing fan and at one
time a member of the Powderpuff league. Throughout her life, she would be found at
the area racetracks supporting her husband and son, who also raced. In her spare time,
she loved to do puzzle books, crossword & Sudoku, as well as put together jigsaw
puzzles. She also made and donated rosaries for a time. She attended St. Thomas
Church throughout her life in Madison, and held a special place in her heart for the
church, its parish, and Fr. Bob, whom she regarded in high esteem.

She is survived by her three grandchildren- Travis (Matt) Sterzinger of Cottage Grove,
MN, Christian Sterzinger of Sioux Falls and Gunner Sterzinger of Winfred, SD; two
daughters-in-law- Melissa Cleveland of Winfred and Kim Thompson of Sioux Falls and
other family members.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; husband- Donald; sister- Roxanne
(Willprecht) Sieh; son- Todd and daughter- Tammy Sterzinger.