Central City | Karen Lorraine Balderson, age 76, of Central City, S.D passed away after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.  Karen was born in Cresbard, S.D. to Elmer & Laura Shockey in the apartment above her Grandpa Greene's blacksmith shop.  She moved to Deadwood with her parents in 1948, graduating from Deadwood High School in 1958.  After graduation, Karen took a train to South California, where she met & married her husband, T. C. (Baldy) Balderson.  They moved back to the Black Hills in 1971, making their home in Central City.

Karen and Baldy's home was the gathering place for their family and friends.  Their door was always open with a warm embrace, welcoming fellowship, hot coffee and something wonderful to eat.  Having worked at a bank in high school, she continued to work in accounting positions throughout her life.  She had a willing heart, a willing spirit and generously offered her assistance whenever or wherever she was asked.  Karen was active in the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead. Loving music, which was such a big part of her life, she sang in the church choir & with great pride, played bells in the bell choir.  In the end, God rewarded her with a peaceful passing and she's now resting in the arms of Jesus.

Karen is survived by her brothers, Merle Shockey (Candy), Richard Shockey (Linda), Lloyd Shockey (Kathe), Roger Shockey (Cheryl) and Kevin Shockey (Ginny), her sisters, Carolyn Martin (Lee Lambert) and Linda Kraus, brother-in-law, John Collins, sister-in-law, Bonnie Shockey, step-sons, Robert Balderson, Scott Balderson and Brad Balderson, along with many much loved nieces & nephews.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Tennyson Carlyle Balderson, her sister, Carlene Collins, brother, Gale Shockey and brother-in-law, Al Kraus.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis where she will join the love of her life, Tennyson Carlyle Balderson.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Karen's name to the Alzheimer's Association.