Florence was born August 20, 1911, to John and Mamie (Weiss) Determan in Paxton, SD. She married Victor George Karrels on November 16, 1932, and moved into the Karrels family home on the ranch in Bear Butte Valley near Sturgis, SD. She lived at the ranch until 1981 when she moved into Sturgis.

Florence was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bear Butte Valley and later a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. She was an active member of the Ladies Altar Society in both locations serving in many officer positions over the years. She continued helping by making dessert for the Sturgis Rally dinners into her late 90's.

Florence worked at the Sturgis Senior Center assisting with meals. She was a Bailiff for several years. Jurors were lucky because she added making homemade cookies for the jury to the list of her Bailiff duties. She volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels for several years. She also helped her daughter, Irene, at the Ranch House café on sale day for many years.

Florence enjoyed traveling and took several trips with local tour groups to the Eastern and Southern parts of the US. She also traveled to the Southwest and even Canada with friends and family.

She also loved to read, play cribbage, and embroider. Unfortunately, in her last few years, her eyesight had failed so she could no longer enjoy those pleasures. She never complained though and she would spend much of her time praying the rosary for those she loved and those who needed prayers.

A little known fact about Florence is that she attended the very first Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Her brother-in-law, Henry "Hank" Karrels, owned an Indian Motorcycle with a side car and she rode into Sturgis with him in the side car.

Florence Cecelia Determan Karrels, 104, Sturgis, died Saturday, July 2, 2016, in Sturgis.

Florence is survived by sisters, Hilda Raymond and Mary Rita Liebel; children, Irene Millin, Alice (Bill) La Brie, and Mike (Lisa) Karrels; grandchildren, Vic (Linda) Millin, Diane (Sam) Fish, Vern (Robin) Millin, David (Tanya) Millin, Brian La Brie, Michelle (Gary) La Brie Van Kilsdonk, Clint (Lexi) Ridley, Tee Ridley, KayCee (Brett) Geck, and Ben Craft; great-grandchildren, Michael Fish, Dallas Millin, Clint Millin, Mark Millin, Austin Millin, CJ Mace, Hazer Mace & Shaina Van Kilsdonk, Cameron La Brie, Jacob La Brie, and Wyatt Geck; and great-great-grandchildren, Kyle and Riley Fish.

Visitation will be 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to "Our House," 811 Main St., Sturgis, SD 57785, the residence in which Florence was being cared for since October 2014. The staff was so caring, thoughtful, and dedicated.

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