Karen Soli

Rev. Dr. Karen L. Soli, 77, of Sioux Falls, S.D., was born July 15, 1948, in Granite Falls, Minn., and passed away September 6, 2025, surrounded by family and friends who cherished her. Karen's funeral service will be held at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, the family warmly invites you to stay for fellowship and sweet treats as we continue to honor Karen's life. Ordained in 1978, Karen was among the earliest women pastors in the Lutheran Church of America, entering a vocation and culture that required constant proof of her calling. For nearly forty years, she served congregations across Minnesota and South Dakota. As a trailblazing minister, she combined authority with warmth and playfulness. She famously used Deuteronomy, her duck puppet, in children's sermons, speaking "duck" to help the youngest congregants see that God's message is for everyone. Through humor, creativity, and authenticity, she showed that ministry could be both deeply meaningful and joyfully approachable. After retiring from parish ministry, she naturally transitioned into directing the Food to You Mobile Food Pantry, coordinating the efforts of more than a dozen congregations to provide for families in need. Karen's dedication to service extended into public life. She served three terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives and became known for her bridge-building approach. As one of few Democrats in a Republican-majority legislature, she never saw working across the aisle as a challenge but as an opportunity to create understanding and common ground. She helped establish the Government Accountability Board and contributed tirelessly to committees on health, local government, and ethics, always carrying her integrity and commitment to the common good into every endeavor. The last project she was thrilled to be a part of was the South Dakota Synod's Open Door initiative, a program welcoming LGBTQ+ neighbors. Karen was at her happiest sharing her passion for connecting with people on a human level and creating spaces where all could be seen, heard, and valued. Outside of ministry and public service, Karen was an avid gardener, tending more than sixty roses, each with its own story. She loved baking pecan pies and homemade bread, sharing them freely along with quilted gifts for friends and family, as she was a skilled seamstress. Music was a constant companion; she sang joyfully in choir and found delight in connecting with friends through word games, from Wordle to Words With Friends, always seeking laughter, clever play, and human connection. Karen's life was a testament to perseverance, generosity, and an ever-opening heart. She leaves a legacy of trailblazing courage in ministry, integrity in public service, and warmth in everyday life. Her family will remember her as a protector, teacher, and friend, and her community will carry forward the bridges she built, the smiles she shared, and the love she lived so fully. She is survived by her husband, daughters, stepsons, grandchildren, siblings, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues who were touched by her faith, laughter, and boundless care. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran World Relief East African Hunger Fund. Spirit of Joy will be providing live stream opportunity to watch Karen's service virtually. Please use the link below. www.spiritofjoy.net