Karen Laree (Johanson) Schramm, 84, of Winner, SD was called to her heavenly home October 16, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 20th, 2023 at 11:00AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial will be held at 1:30PM at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Funeral Services will be live streamed through the Mason Funeral Home Facebook page. Click the link to watch the services: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063938806463

Karen was born on February 10, 1939, to Ture Robert and Mildred Anne (Tapley) Johanson, just ten minutes prior to her twin sister Sharon.  She was baptized June 18, 1939, and confirmed in her faith October 10, 1954, at Bethlehem Lutheran in Aberdeen, SD.

Karen spent her childhood in Aberdeen and attended Central HS where she was involved in cheerleading and pep club, graduating in 1957.  She spent two years at Northern State University before transferring to her beloved South Dakota State University where she received a medical technology degree in 1961.

At SDSU, Karen was introduced to Jim Schramm by Jim's cousin Janet (Schramm) Bruun. He casually showed up to their first date in a ratty old sweatshirt.  Persevering through the first date, they fell in love and were married on August 4, 1962, in Aberdeen SD.  To their union of 60 years were born Grant, Laura, Jane and Mark.

Karen was so very proud of her 39-year career as a medical technologist and being a registered member of the ASCP.  Her employment included time in Cedar Rapids IA, Aberdeen Medical Center, Rosebud PHS hospital and the Winner Baptist Hospital.   The Winner Hospital hired Karen to start the blood bank in conjunction with War Memorial hospital in Minneapolis.  During her career, she knew everyone's blood type and who could be called when blood was needed.

Her passion to support her daughter Jane's special education needs led her to run for the school board. Karen went on to serve Winner public schools for seven years as the first female-elected school board member.

To know Karen was to be fed by Karen.  She delighted in all things from the garden or field.  Garden vegetables and flowers brought her joy, especially her daisies. She was an expert canner, some of her most sought-after treasures included dill pickles, beets, relish and strawberry rhubarb jelly, a family favorite.  Entertaining, cooking and providing a great meal, making the best pies and setting the prettiest tables made her and outstanding hostess and made everyone feel welcome.

Whether it was time spent together golfing or playing bridge, or attending events involving her children, Jim and Karen loved the Winner community and all their friends.  Years of different coffee spots and mahjongg dates, card parties, ladies golf league, Karen would continue to foster many relationships with calls, notes and cards until her entry into Glory.

Even after moving to Winner, when the shared school song "On Wisconsin" was played Karen sang the words for the Aberdeen Central Eagles.

She enjoyed traveling to visit grandchildren and their activities and watching or listening to the Jackrabbits play any sport.

Karen and Jim were faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed being a member of the choir and the Mary Martha organization and continued to serve the church until moving to Sioux Falls in 2022. Her steadfast faith in the scripture was the foundation for her life.  Karen proudly proclaimed her love for Jesus and in her final days her readiness to "Meet her Maker"!

She loved to talk about Swedish heritage (her dad immigrated as a child) and being an identical twin. Karen cherished her relationship with her twin sister's children:  Niece Julie (Mark) Anderson, Nephews Steve Kvistad, Paul (Jamie) Kvistad, Greg (Melanie) Kvistad.

The family is sincerely grateful for the many written notes, visits, happy hours, flowers, treats, photos, phone calls, sermon notes, prayers and singing from friends and Pastor faithfully checking on her. Each one brightened her day.

A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, Karen is proceeded in death by her husband, daughter Jane, her parents, brother Darrell Johanson and twin sister Sharon.

She is survived by Grant (Wendy) Schramm, Laura (Sam) Goodhope, Mark (Bobbi) Schramm, Grandchildren Valerie (Jim) Birch, Eric (Taylor) Schramm, Trevor (Chelsea) Schramm, Chloe (Austin) McPhilamy, Anna Goodhope, Sadie Goodhope, Charlotte Goodhope, Aiden Schramm, Carter Schramm, Spencer Schramm and Great-grandchildren Emily, Caleb & Daniel Birch; Amelia & Charlie Jo Schramm; Leighton James McPhilamy.  Sisters- in-law Diane Johanson, Cindy (Neil) Quitsch, Brother-in-law Gayle (Annie) Kzistad, nephew Jason Geissinger and nieces, Elizabeth Quitsch and Rebecca Mireles.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, expressions of sympathy be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Women's Group or the Tripp County Historical Society.