Luvern (Tillie) Kari was born September 8, 1930, in Sturgis, SD, to Jess and Viva (McGraw) Rogers. She was raised at the home place in Fairpoint, SD, along with her sisters, Ruby, Opal, Inez, and Carolyn, and one brother, Lloyd. She graduated from the Fairpoint country school.

Luvern was united in marriage to Walter J. Kari on November 14, 1948, at Strool, SD. Their son, Randy, was added to this union on December 6, 1949. They ranched northwest of Faith, SD, for 16 years, then moved into Faith in 1964 so Randy could attend high school. They owned and operated the Star-Lite motel there for the next 23 years. In 1988, Walter and Luvern retired to Sturgis, SD, where they resided until 2008, then moved to Spearfish, SD, for health reasons.

Luvern loved to dance, particularly to waltzes. She attended many Saturday night dances with her husband and son at Maurine, SD, dancing
to Buddy Meredith and his band. She and her family enjoyed hunting and trapping along the Morreau River. Luvern shot her share of deer, bobcat,
and raccoons. Her beautiful flower gardens also reflected her green thumb and her love of roses.

Luvern loved to travel with family and friends. They went to many places, the Rockies, Little Big Horn, and Teton mountains. She could boast she had stepped foot in every state of the union, including Alaska and Hawaii. She was always first in line for a good fishing or camping trip, too.

Luvern, 86, Spearfish, died Friday, November 4, 2016, at Belle Fourche Healthcare.

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Luvern is survived by her husband, Walter; her son, Randy, and his wife, Kay, and their extended family on the Rosebud Reservation where they have lived the past 45 years.

A memorial has been established to the Shriner's Hospital.