Funeral services for Lisa Kari, age 46, of Prairie City, will be held at 10:30am Thursday, July 3, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison. Pastor Florence Hoff and Pastor Brad Burkhalter will officiate with burial in the Bison Cemetery.


A family service will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison.


Special music will be provided by Roxi Seaman, pianist; Philip, Emily, and Payton Jerde, vocalists.

Serving as casketbearers are members of the Prairie City Volunteer Fire Department: Don Palmer, Todd Fink, James Brixey, Brent Hulm, Richard Peck, Rich Peck, Stanley Brixey, Daniel Beckman, Dan Beckman, Jenny Beckman, John Green, Norene Green, Dewey Carr, Larry Carr, Jim Goddard, Nancy Brixey, Brad Burkhalter, Luke Wiechmann, James Ryen, Chuck Spangler.


LISA MARIE KARI was born June 12, 1962 at Belle Fourche, SD to Leona Selby. She grew up in Bison and graduated from Bison High School in 1980. She participated in various activities including Rodeo Club and as a Majorette. As a young girl she began working in the City Café and later the Prairie Bowl. Lisa was united in marriage to Ernest "Ernie" D. Kari on August 23, 1980 in Bison. They began their life together on the Kari Ranch south of Prairie City. Three children, Brandy, Brad, and Chase were born to this union. The Kari's moved into Bison in 1985 where Lisa continued working at the Prairie Bowl. They moved to Sturgis where she operated a day care and worked at the Phil Towne. When the Kari's returned to Bison, Lisa worked at the Circle D and did domestic work. In 1999, Lisa became a licensed insurance agent with Farm Bureau. She also worked part time as a postmaster and since 2003 full time at the Prairie City Post Office. She also operated the station-convenience store side of the business.


In addition to raising their three children, working numerous full and part time jobs, she very graciously worked side by side with her husband in their farming and ranching operation. She loved to visit and always took the time to strike up a conversation. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.


Lisa was a community advocate and always involved in her church and community. She had a very caring and compassionate heart, often providing any stray animal's food and shelter. She was secretary-treasurer of the Prairie City Volunteer Fire Department and involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She sponsored two children through the Mission of Mercy organization which provides food, education, medical aid, and hope for children in third world countries.


Lisa passed from this life in a farm accident on the Quaal Ranch south of Prairie City on Sunday evening, June 29, 2008.


Keeping her in their fondest memories are her husband, Ernie, Prairie City, SD; daughter and son-in-law, Brandy Jo and Cody Bentsen, Hettinger, ND; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Brad and Amanda Kari, Newell, SD; Chase Kari and special friend, Jessie Peck, Prairie City, SD; two grandchildren, Derek and Bryce Kari; her mother, Leona Aaker, Bison, SD; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Renee and Mike Jenkins, Spearfish, SD; Margaret Reder, Sheridan, WY; her mother-in-law, Mary Kari, Lemmon, SD; brother-in-law, Dale Kari, Huron, SD; one sister-in-law, Lynette and her husband, Brian Engle, Rapid City, SD; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, special friend, Barbara Herdegen; and a host of friends.


She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Margurite and Leonard Aaker, Ruth Collins, Joe Selby; and her father-in-law, Ted Kari.



A memorial has been established to the Mission of Mercy organization.