Walter James Kari, age 92

Walter James Kari

Walter James Kari, age 92, Spearfish, died Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Walter was born June 26, 1924, at Bixby, South Dakota, to Peter and Katherine (Sperle) Kari. He graduated from Bison High School.


Walter married Tillie Luvern Rogers on November 14, 1948, at Strool, South Dakota. Their son, Randy, was born December 6, 1949. They ranched northwest of Faith, South Dakota, for 16 years, then moved into Faith in 1964 so Randy could attend high school. They owned and operated the Star-Lite motel in Faith for the next 23 years. In 1988, Walter and Luvern retired to Sturgis, South Dakota, where they resided until 2008, when they moved to Spearfish, South Dakota, for health reasons.


Walter loved ranching, hunting and fishing, trapping, and the outdoors. His favorite rifle was the 30-40 Krag.

Visitation was on Monday, May  5, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father John Paul Trask officiating. Burial was at Bear Butte Cemetery.


A memorial has been established to the Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospitals.
Survivors include his son, Randy (Kay) Kari; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild; brothers, John Kari and Raymond Kari; and sisters, Velma Johnson and Kathryn Schlosser.


Walter was preceded in death by his wife in 2016; two sisters; and two brothers.
A memorial has been established to the Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospitals.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals. com.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
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