Karen Bechen, 72, of Lake Andes

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, Friday, May 15, 2015 at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Lake Andes. Burial is in Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Andes. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 5 to 7 PM, followed by Wake Services at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

Karen Kathleen Bechen was born at Wagner, SD on May 10, 1942, the daughter of Helmuth and Emma (Peters) Winckler. She died Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Karen grew up the oldest of four siblings on the family farm near Delmont. She attended rural school at Choteau Creek #3, graduated from Wagner High School in 1960 and received her teaching degree at Southern State Teacher's College in Springfield.

Karen married Virgil Bechen in Wagner on January 27, 1962. They lived on a farm near Lake Andes and seven children were blessed to their union. She taught school in Avon and Lake Andes and worked as a teacher's aide in Lake Andes. When her children came she was a stay-at-home mom and worked on the farm. Over the last few years, she worked as a clerk at Wollman's Pharmacy.

Karen was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church where she was active in Catholic Daughters, the altar society and also taught catechism for several years. She never said no when asked to provide to family, friends or community.

Karen will be remembered for her love of her family, and her grandchildren all had a special place in her heart and were never far from her mind. She loved taking family pictures with her "good" camera, researching family history, quilting, her garden, reading, watching westerns, listening to Elvis, baking, and keeping up with her cousins.

Thankful for having shared her life are her husband Virgil of Lake Andes, seven children: Jeannette (Bernie) Patton of Hansville, WA, Jackie (Russell) Gall of Pickstown, Janelle (Mark) McMahon of Mitchell, Brad Bechen of Mosher, Jolynn Tronvold of Lake Andes, James (Amanda) Bechen of Wagner, and Ron (Tonya) Bechen of Sioux Falls and honorary daughter Linda Mack of Spearfish; 19 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brother Duane (JoAnn) Winckler of Wagner; sister Marlys (Fred) Kuil of Sioux Falls; brother Verlin (Kathy) Winckler of Wagner; sister-in-law Elaine Bechen of Lake Andes; brother-in-law Richard Adam of Fairfield, IA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear family friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Emma & Helmuth and sister Julie Ann.