Karen Ann (Smith) Bridges, 73, of Spearfish, SD, died of cancer on August 22, 2015 at her home.

Karen was born June 8, 1942 in Fargo, ND to Isaac "Ike" and Grace (Sutton) Smith and raised in Agar, SD. In 1959, her family moved to Spearfish, where she graduated from Spearfish High School in 1960. She graduated from South Dakota State College in 1964 with a major in Home Economics Education. She married Donald D. Bridges on July 19, 1964 in Spearfish. To this union, two sons were born, Dallas and Thomas.

Karen taught home economics at Sturgis High School for one year, then taught home economics and psychology at Spearfish High School. During this time, Karen received a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Black Hills State College.

In 1977, Karen and Donnie started the Pants Pocket in Spearfish. In addition, she received her broker's real estate license and worked for Johnson-Joy Real Estate. In 1991, Karen received her Masters of Social Work Degree from Yeshiva University in New York City.

Karen was involved in many organizations including Retail Trade Chairperson for Spearfish Downtown Association; Spearfish Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for three years; Lookout Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for 12 years; Spearfish Country Club Board of Directors for three years and Northern Hills Training Center Board member to the present time.

Karen has worked in the local healthcare community as a Medical Social Worker for over two decades. When asked, Karen listed her most fulfilling achievement as a Social Worker for Hospice of the Northern Hills for the past 18 years. And her legacy shall be the success of the "Hitting for Hospice" Golf Tournament in Spearfish.

She is survived by her sons, Dallas and Connie Bridges, Brookings, SD and Tom and Vanessa Bridges, Spearfish; granddaughters, Samantha and Cassidy Bridges, Brookings; grandsons, Seth and Chase Bridges, Spearfish; brother, Darrell and Rosie Smith of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-law, Jerry Ellingson, Spearfish; sister-in-law, Patty Clarkson, Spearfish; and extended family John "Q" and Brenda Lindstrom, Whitewood. Karen was preceded in death by husband Donnie; parents, Isaac and Grace Smith; parents-in-law, Don and Cora Mae Bridges and sister-in-law, Sharon Ellingson.

A Celebration of Life will be at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider the following for memorial donation: Hospice of the Northern Hills, Northern Hills Training Center and/or the American Cancer Society.

Karen put the "social" in social worker and was encircled by extensive groups of friends and co-workers who provided her happiness on a daily basis, and you know who you are.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.