Karen (Tilberg) Hanson

Dates

Obituary

Karen (Tilberg) Hanson, 86, of Mitchell, SD, died Friday, May 8, 2026, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, May 14, at New Home Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at New Home Lutheran Cemetery in rural Mitchell. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7:00 PM at the church with a 6:30 PM prayer service.

Karen Lee (Tilberg) Hanson was born on March 20, 1940, to Walter and Hazel (Pence) Hemeyer in Aurora Center, SD. Karen graduated from Stickney High School and continued her education at National College in Rapid City earning an associate degree.

Karen married Lorne Tilberg on October 20, 1961, and to this union five children were born: Lorna, Douglas, David, Michelle, and Mary. After Lorne’s passing, Karen retired in Mitchell. She later married Darrell Hanson on December 16, 2017.

While raising her family in rural Mitchell, Karen was very active at New Home Lutheran. She served on many church committees, was a member of the choir, and played the organ and piano. After moving to Britton, she continued these same church activities at First Lutheran Church, but also added helping with the community theatre group, various 4-H activities, and attending many of the school activities.  Upon returning to Mitchell and New Home Lutheran, she picked up the same church activities.

Throughout Karen’s life, God and family were the most important things. She loved family get-togethers during holidays, attending and planning family reunions. Mix playing cards with family, that was the best! Pinochle with her parents, sisters, and spouses or Pitch with the rest.

Karen is survived by her husband Darrell Hanson of Mitchell; sons, Douglas Tilberg of Sioux Falls and David Tilberg of Mitchell; daughters, Lorna (Alan) DeRaad of Sioux Falls, Michelle Brandenburg of Sioux Falls, and Mary (Dave) Chmela of Mitchell; sisters, Connie Bruinsma of Mitchell and Lois Schelhaas of Stickney; 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 3 step children, 6 step grandchildren, and 7 step great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lorne Tilberg; grandsons, Jordan Martish and River Tilberg; and her parents.

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