Karen Sue Riggs Obituary
Karen Sue Riggs, 74, passed away Monday, May 5, 2025.
Karen was born February 28, 1951, in Pierre, South Dakota to James Linsy Riggs and Ruby Lee Lewis Riggs. A proud graduate of Riggs High School in 1969, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology – Social Work from the University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, SD in 1974.
Karen dedicated her professional life to social work. Quirky and kind-hearted, Karen never met a stranger and had a gift of talking to everyone. One of her greatest passions was genealogy; she spent countless hours researching family histories, often going above and beyond to help others locate the gravesites of long-lost relatives in distant cemeteries. With great care, she would clean the headstones and send photographs to grateful family members. A regular at the Grapevine Rec Center, Karen loved games and spent many joyful hours playing Mah Jong and Rummikub with friends. Her deep affection for animals was a defining part of her life—she found great joy in watching nature shows and was an avid viewer of veterinary programs like Animal Planet and The Incredible Dr. Pol.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ruby Riggs, as well as her brothers, Robert Riggs and Wayne Riggs. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linsy and Bill Grozdanich, and her two cherished granddaughters, Riley and Lexi Grozdanich of Trophy Club, Texas. Karen also leaves behind a large family of siblings: James Riggs and Shirley Lowrie of Houston, Cathy and Arlynn Anderson of Utah, Christine and Carl Hawkins of South Dakota, Jane and Terry Tousley of South Dakota, Monte and Janet Riggs of South Dakota, and JoLinn and Steve Powell of Florida. In addition, she is remembered fondly by her many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
A service to celebrate Karen’s life will be held on Monday, May 19th, at Lucas Funeral Home, located at 700 W. Wall Street in Grapevine, Texas. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m. Karen will be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 20th, at Stroud Cemetery in Stroud, Oklahoma.
In honor of Karen’s lifelong love for animals, memorial contributions may be made to Operation Kindness or the SPCA of Texas.
LIVESTREAM LINK https://video.ibm.com/channel/tmab4jDHmbG
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
700 W Wall Street, Grapevine, TX 76051
People and places connected with Karen Sue
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Sue Riggs
Make a Donation
in Karen Sue Riggs's name
How to support Karen Sue's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Karen Sue Riggs's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
