Karen Joyce Pummel, 86, of Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away on July 1, 2026. She was born on September 9, 1939, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, to Bill and Vernice White, joining siblings Bob and Wildene.

She started school in Fargo, Oklahoma, and in 1951 her family moved to Grindstone, South Dakota. She attended several country schools where she made lifelong friends.

She graduated from Spearfish High School after her parents moved when her mom finished her degree at Black Hills Teacher College.

Karen married Blayne Pummel on June 24, 1957, and she started working at Lawrence County Extension Office and then moved on to the U.S. Forest Service. She quit when Kevin Blayne was born in 1962. Two years later, Curtis Dale joined the family.

Karen went to work at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and worked until the Bell break up in 1984 and that’s when she and Blayne purchased the Spearfish Clothier.

At that time, they purchased their first cabin and continued to have cabins. In 1990, grandson Lucas was born and they built their final cabin, many family and friends’ memories were centered around cabin life.

They loved living in Spearfish and giving back to the community. She served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Chairman for the American Cancer Society and the Matthews’ Opera House Committee Chairperson, just to name a few. It was sometime in June of 2026 when she turned her key in at the Wild Rose downtown gift shop, where she had enjoyed working with Emily and Tiara for years.

After Blayne retired in 2003, they purchased a fifth wheel and spent winters in California, Arizona and Florida, but were always anxious to get home to their sons and families.

Karen lived with an undeniable and enviable zest for life. She was a straight shooter with a warm heart, a proud Spearfish historian, and the quintessential boy mom who later embraced her role as grandma with the same enthusiasm and love.

An avid reader, Karen was a devoted supporter of the Spearfish library, where her curiosity and love of reading found a home.

She and Blayne delighted in opening their home to family and friends. Their incredible cooking was legendary, and many of their happiest evenings were spent on the patio sharing good food, great conversation and a cocktail.

Karen never met a stranger. She was a hugger by nature, genuinely curious about others, and had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and welcome.

Whether gathering with her wine group, enjoying Bunco nights, traveling to new places or simply spending time with friends, Karen built lifelong connections wherever she went. She leaves behind an enormous circle of friends who were enriched by her generosity, laughter, and unwavering friendship.

More than anything, Karen embraced life fully, and those who knew her will remember her for the fun, warmth and authenticity she brought to every room she entered.

In addition to her parents, Bill and Vernice, she was preceded in death by Blayne’s parents George and Lucille, brothers Clayton (Darlene) Pummel, Willard (Marie) Pummel, Ruth (Merle) Herbig, her brother Bob White, sister Wildene Fortune and son Curtis.

Karen is survived by her husband of 69 years, Blayne, son Kevin (Lisa), grandsons Blayne and Lucas, bonus grandchildren; Christie, Joe, Zack, and Ashley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Pummel family would like to thank the Hospice House in Rapid City for their incredible care of Karen.

Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spearfish. Memorial donations may be sent to the Hospice House at 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701, and the Spearfish Food Pantry at 131 Yankee Street, Spearfish, South Dakota, 57783.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com