Karen L. Muellerleile

Karen L. Muellerleile Obituary** To keep the announcement on our web up-to-date for Karen's service, we have temporarily changed the date of death and will up date after the service. Thank you for understanding.**
Please join us to celebrate Karen's life on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Wight and Comes Funeral Chapel. The family be present from 1 to 3pm, with a service starting at 3:00pm. For her Celebration of Life her family welcomes you to wear her favorite color, "cobalt" blue!
Karen Lynn (Rickerl) Muellerleile, age 74, went to meet Jesus on October 26, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. She was lovingly surrounded by her family, and lifted up in prayer by so many in her last days and hours on this side of heaven.
Karen was born on November 7, 1950, to Dayle "Rick" Rickerl and Geraldine "Gerry" (Klatt) Rickerl, in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in Watertown, SD, and attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Watertown High School. She then attended Dakota State College, where she earned a bachelors degree in psychology.
As a child Karen cherished her time on the farm with her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. She was then blessed to live so close to her parents. This included many family dinners and just the simplicity of enjoying everyday life with them. Every South Dakota summer they looked forward to the visits from their family from California and Omaha, joined by all the Castlewood and Pierre relatives too. Growing up Karen was blessed with a wonderful group of cousins and they remained close throughout their lives.
After college, Karen returned to Watertown where she worked with her mom's self-owned office for several years and continued to support that business throughout most of her time in Watertown. She also became a big sister at the age of 24! After Rick and Gerry announced the upcoming arrival of a baby at their 25th anniversary, Patrick K. Rickerl arrived on March 6, 1975, ending her status as an only child. Patrick and Karen were always close and enjoyed spending time together! She spent a lot of time watching him play sports from elementary school through college. They seemed to be able to communicate easily without a sound. He was always looking out for her. Of course this came in quite handy when they would beat their mom and uncles at pinochle! Later in life, she especially loved going for rides in Patrick's truck with his dog, Angus, frequently stopping at the park to watch the birds and just enjoy the breeze. They shared a similar sense of humor too and enjoyed joking together!
Karen met Gregory "Greg" Lee Muellerleile at a friend's Bible study. They were married on November 24, 1977, at the Assembly of God church in Watertown, SD. Karen worked alongside Greg at their custom woodworking shop, Dakota Woodworking. She spent hours on end helping with sanding, staining and finish work and later she mastered the self-taught art of stained glass. Her masterpieces of all sizes still grace homes and churches all over, every piece unique and polished. One of the largest projects was restoring the massive stained glass windows of I.C. Church in Watertown. Karen was effortlessly creative in so many ways.
Greg and Karen welcomed a baby boy - "Joey" Joseph John on September 2, 1978. Sadly, due to complications from a premature birth, Joey went to be with Jesus 17 days later. The following year, Elizabeth "Liza" Jane was born several weeks ahead of schedule, on August 31st. Greg and Karen called her God's little miracle. Karen stayed in Sioux Falls at the NICU with Liza until she came home a month later. Bringing joy and healing - she was their answer to prayer after loss. Karen and Liza shared a special, unspoken bond. She and Greg both passed their creativity onto her. They especially loved to create projects and artwork together. She never turned down any of Liza's ideas, instead they dreamed up bigger and better plans together. Simply put, Karen was Liza's person, her go-to for all things.
Several years later Karen and Greg had the God planned opportunity to add to their family when Kipp Joseph came into their lives. She always said she'd love to have another baby boy. He was born February 19, 1993. At 6 weeks old he was a forever family member and then officially adopted on December 20, 1993. He was the perfect missing piece to their family! Karen adored her blonde hair blue eyed little boy. Kipp spent most of his days right alongside his mom whether it was at Grandma Gerry's office or at the shop. She loved to watch him learn & grow, play baseball and enjoy being outside.
Karen was the best mom. She dedicated her life to her family. She instilled a firm foundation in faith and Jesus! She was always present and set an unwavering example of grace in all seasons.
Many talents define Karen but one she blessed so many with was her angelic voice. She enjoyed singing in so many areas of life - church, plays and choirs, Sweet Adelines, countless weddings, and of course 26 consecutive years in the Karing Kapers shows. She was a part of the well known "Side by Side" trio with her mom and Correne Chlopkowiak, and their music always arranged and accompanied by Burton Fromke. They performed in perfect harmony - everywhere from fundraising and sporting events to parades and retirement homes and even Liza and Joel's wedding!
Later in her life Karen worked as a tutor at Watertown Christian School. She loved being involved in her student's education. Here she met so many sweet friends and students.
Karen's greatest joy was when she became "Mimi" to each of her grandchildren! A year after Greg passed away in 2005, she and Kipp moved to Sioux Falls. Here she made her home with Liza and her husband, Joel. She and Joel had a great relationship and loved to joke back and forth. She provided "Mimi-care" from the moment she witnessed each of their three daughters, Ava, Livi and Evie, came into the world. Karen was a true extension of Liza, allowing her to work outside the home. She always said babies were meant to be held and every nap was spent in her arms. She was a part of all of the "chicks" adventures - so many dance recitals and competitions, some pageants, countless backyard performances and tea parties, gardening, dress making and seamstress challenges with their neighbor Vicki's assistance, art projects, school plays, teaching Evie preschool, and even a year of homeschool for all three! Always willing and available for anything needed, with a joyful heart. The girls adored their Mimi and they're so grateful for the special time they had together!
When Kipp married Brooke (Baird), he and Karen danced to "You'll Be In My Heart" at their wedding and it was a cherished both of them. Her Mimi love grew even more when they welcomed Meredith Rose, and later Marshall Joseph into their family. She was thrilled to learn of their next blessing joining them in the spring! Karen loved every second she got to spend with them - especially snuggling, holding hands, every rock-a-bye opportunity with lullabies, reading books, and hearing all about their new farm life happenings! Marshall was the next blond hair blue eyed boy that she adored. Meredith says "Mimi is still in my heart" and she has pretty angel wings now!
Karen was steadfast and constant. She was smart, witty and never turned away from a challenge. She was always looking for ways to help others, and had a heart of gold! Karen's faith in her Savior was always the biggest part of her life. Many of her closest, lifelong friends were met through church. She grew up in the I. C. Catholic Church, then moving on to Assembly of God, Living Water Ranch and Foursquare. after moving to Sioux Falls she had may favorite online churches she watched, and enjoyed joining Liza's family at Crosswalk. She was a dedicated prayer warrior and loved to sing worship, and we know that continues to her life in heaven! When Liza asked her what she thought heaven would be like, she said "it will be wonderful!" She hopes someday you'll all see how wonderful it is too!
Grateful for sharing Karen's life: honored to call her mom - Liza (Joel) Wornson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Kipp (Brooke) Muellerleile of Moville, IA; blessed to call her Mimi - Ava, Livi and Evie Wornson, Meredith and Marshall Muellerleile; her favorite brother - Patrick Rickerl, of Sioux Falls, SD; several cousins and many sweet friends.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her infant son, Joey.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family – www.wightandcomes.com
** To keep the announcement on our web up-to-date for Karen's service, we have temporarily changed the date of death and will up date after the service. Thank you for understanding.**
Please join us to celebrate Karen's life on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Wight and Comes Funeral Chapel. The family be present from