Karen L. Davis

Karen L. Davis, age 60, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, following a long battle with cancer in Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.

Karen Lynn Appelhof was born on May 12, 1966, in Yankton, South Dakota, where her father was stationed with the Highway Patrol. At a young age, Karen moved with her family to her parents’ hometown of Watertown, South Dakota, where she spent much of her life. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1984.

Karen began working for her father at Champion Auto and later owned and operated Fast Foto in Watertown. In February 1990, she married Dale D. Davis of Watertown. She continued working with her father until his retirement. In the years that followed, Karen operated a small in-home daycare.

Karen later moved to Brainerd, Minnesota, with her husband. After several years there, they purchased a manufactured housing dealership in Mora, Minnesota, and eventually expanded by acquiring another dealership in Paynesville, Minnesota. After selling the business, Karen and Dale relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Karen’s life was marked by both deep love and profound loss. Dale passed away unexpectedly in 2019. Soon after, Karen’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, and Karen selflessly stepped into the role of caregiver, devoting herself completely to her mother’s care until her passing in March 2020. In October of that same year, Karen returned to the workforce as a cashier at a nearby Walmart. Soon after, she was diagnosed with cancer, and was unable to continue working.

Karen was a strong-willed, independent person. She fought a courageous battle with cancer, and lived several years longer than doctors had expected.

Above all, Karen loved being Jack’s mom. Her greatest goal in life had always been to be a mother, and she would have given Jack anything she could. Jack remained faithfully by her side throughout her illness, after having already helped care for his grandmother as a teenager. He later left college to return home and care for his mother.

Karen enjoyed playing cards, reading, knitting, bowling, and spending time with friends and family.

Karen is survived by her son, Jack Davis of Sioux Falls; her siblings, Kristi Gast (Alvin Justelien), Laura (Herb) Quam, and Rob (Melissa) Appelhof; her nieces and nephews, Alex (Amanda) Gast of Blaine, Minnesota; Nick (Brianna) Gast of Goodwin, South Dakota; Jarrius, Jordan, and Jesstin Quam; Nate Appelhof; and Ben Appelhof of Blaine, Minnesota; as well as her great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Gail Davis of Watertown; brothers-in-law Lee (Susie) Davis of Watertown and Terry Davis of Tea, South Dakota; and their children, Eric, Jeff, Stephanie, Casey and Sarah and Bret and Ashley Davis.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale D. Davis; her father, Robert “Bob” Appelhof; her mother, Ruby “Susie” Appelhof; her father-in-law, Donovan Davis; her brothers-in-law, Mark Gast and Kent Davis; and her sister-in-law, Katina Davis, and a nephew, John Davis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Jack Davis through Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel or through the family, in honor of the selfless love and care he gave his mother.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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