Karen Thompson

Karen J. Thompson, 67, of Fort Thompson, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society of Miller.

Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Thompson.  Burial followed at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Stephan.  Two-night wake services were held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, both at the church.

Karen June Medicine Cedar was born on January 7th, 1953 to Chief William Schweigman and Cecelia Medicine Cedar in Chamberlain, South Dakota.  Karen attended school in Fort Thompson Elementary, Gann Valley and Immaculate Conception, in Stephan, South Dakota.  She then went on to pursue a degree in Police Science at United Sioux Tribes in Bismarck, North Dakota.  After graduating she returned to work for the Fort Thompson Police Department as a police officer and then later took a position there as the radio dispatcher for many years.   She worked for the courthouse as Clerk of Courts and for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe as the T. W. E. P. T. Director.  Her retirement was due to illness. 

Karen met and married Harold Wayne Thompson on August 31, 1971 to this union five children were born: Karrie Ann, Thomas Wayne, Kevin Todd, Karlene Denise and John Wayne. 

Karen’s love for the Lord, God led her to Ellendale, North Dakota where she attended Trinity Bible College.  Then to the Central Dakota Bible College in Mobridge.  Karen attended classes for three years to become a Catholic Lay Minister.  She was most proud of this accomplishment.  She also accepted her traditional ways and became a traditional dancer which she enjoyed.

Karen was a dedicated and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother who spent much of her time supporting, encouraging, instructing, protecting and challenging all her children and family.  Karen was known for always being there to help a person, whether it was a meal, place to stay or being that shoulder to cry on.  She was a person who would listen and always offer advice.  She never let you leave without saying a prayer for you. 

She loved music of all kinds, her Pepsi and having a good cigarette. 

Karen had been raising her son, Kevin’s daughters since his passing in 2015.  She mourned for him and missed him dearly.  After becoming seriously ill, it was her two special granddaughters, Karin Lee and Mary Elsa, who took care of her and became her primary caretakers. 

She leaves behind her children: Karrie (Wally), Thomas (Donelle), Karlene (Keith), and John (Judy); special sons: Denver Bud and Erik Hislaw; God children: Terrace Blaine, John Walking Bull, and Garett Hawk; eighteen grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. 

Preceding her in death are older brothers and sisters; mother, Cecilia Medicine Cedar; father; William Schweigman; son, Kevin; grandson, Noah Thompson; sisters: Valerie, Delores, Linda and Ramona; and brother, Isadore.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Karen's arrangements.