Karen Mae Killian

Karen Mae Killian, age 88 of Yankton, SD passed away early Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating. Burial will be at approximately 1:15 pm, Tuesday afternoon. Visitations will be 5 to 7 pm, Monday, March 23, 2026 at the Opsahl-Kostel Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Scripture service at 7:00 pm. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. On line condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com. To view Karen’s service live stream, click this link: https://server.attend.live/static/event/W6WEg

Karen was born July 13, 1937 in Yankton, SD to Peter and Freeda (Weier) McGillick. She was the middle child with two brothers. She was raised on the family farm 17 miles north of Yankton, SD. She attended Irene Public School through 8th grade. She then helped out on the farm and did various babysitting jobs. She was a member of St Columba Catholic Church until she married. When she turned 18 she got a job at Mean’s Cleaners in Yankton. It was there that she met the love of her life, Marvin Killian. After a year long courtship she married him on December 30, 1957 at St Columba Catholic Church of Mayfield. Together they enjoyed dancing and socializing with friends on many weekends. They were both members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. They bought their first home in Yankton, SD on Linn St. It was there in Oct of 1961 that their first daughter, Kay was born. In 1962 they purchased and moved to a new house on 1204 Cedar St. Shortly after, she started her own daycare business Karen’s Daycare Service and ran it out of their home. She also did some part time house cleaning for various clients. In Dec of 1966 their second daughter Tammi was born. Karen expanded her daycare operation in 1987 when she purchased a house on 1210 Cedar and used that for the daycare. She continued doing what she loved most caring for and loving children. It’s estimated she cared for well over 100 children throughout her career, pouring her heart into each one. That chapter of her life came to an unexpected end in Feb of 2005, when she suffered a heart attack while on her way to visit her husband in the hospital. She was then forced to sell the daycare house and retire. Sadly, she lost her husband Marvin in May of that same year making 2005, a deeply traumatic time for our family. But even through that loss, it never stopped her from loving her grandchildren with her whole heart or continuing to do what she loved baking and cooking for those around her. She also loved to visit and spend time with friends and neighbors. Anyone who knew her couldn’t forget her laugh it was a loud, big, bold, and contagious. Once you heard it you’d never forget it. Karen continued to manage life best she could without her husband. She found joy in going to Yankton area concerts, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and to going to church with friends. As the years went on, her age began to catch up with her, and in February of 2022 she had to sell her home and move into the Sister James Care Center. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Freeda McGillick, her husband Marvin, her two brothers: Wayne and Terry McGillick, and sisters in law: Joan McGillick, Audrey McGillick and Loretta Braunesreither. Karen is survived by her two daughters: Kay (David) Hofer, Yankton, and Tammi (Allen) Hofer, Yankton. Her beautiful grandchildren: Tiffany Hofer of Yankton, Brittany (Max) Korus of Yankton, Heather Hofer of Yankton, Matt (Samantha) Hofer of Yankton. Lastly she leaves behind her wonderful Great grandchildren: Finley and Maeva Korus. Daniel Robinson, Carson, Aiden Hofer, and soon to be born, baby girl Hofer.