Aarika Lynn Maisak

1984 - 2022

Aarika Lynn Maisak

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Aarika Lynn Maisak, 38, of Sioux Falls died Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 surrounded by friends and family at the Dougherty Hospice House after a long battle with early onset colon cancer.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Hawarden Community Center in Hawarden, Iowa, with Pastor Carolyn Salberg officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.porterfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/aarika-maisak-1. Porter Funeral Home of Hawarden is assisting the family.

Aarika was born July 11, 1984, in Sioux City, the daughter of Joel Johnson and Jennifer (Hisler) Martinsen. She attended West Sioux Schools in Hawarden throughout most of her youth. She attended college at the University of Utah and the University of South Dakota, and went on to receive her Master's Degree in Professional Counseling at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was married to Mark Maisak on Oct. 6, 2012. They had three brilliant, beautiful children: Libby, Ellis, and Thomas.

Aarika had a zest for life and would often be overheard scheming her next trip or adventure. She loved to travel, experience different cultures, and share these experiences with her loved ones. She lived an active life, and enjoyed road biking, rocking climbing, trail running, cross country skiing, softball, kayaking, hiking, camping and anything else that would immerse her in nature.

One of Aarika's greatest passions was her ability to help many people in her lifetime. She took great pride in providing mental health services as a licensed therapist to those in need, particularly teens and families. She had a love for education and learning, and always strived to be in a state of self-improvement. Aarika's greatest accomplishment was becoming a mother, and she took immense pride in her children. She had an infectious smile, quick mind, great sense of humor and innate ability to connect with others. Her children, family and friends were treasured above all else.

She is survived by her grandmother, Della Hisler; parents, Joel and Carolyn Johnson, and Bill and Jennifer Martinsen; brothers Aaron Johnson, Andrew (Courtney and Leo) Johnson, Jeff Johnson (and family) and Jamie Johnson (and family); lifelong friends, Megan Sengos and Cathy Andela-Ruth; and Mark Maisak and their children, Libby, Ellis, and Thomas Maisak.

Aarika was preceded in death by her grandparents Thomas Hisler, and Herb and Mary Ann Johnson.

Throughout her cancer journey, Aarika encountered multiple survivors and health providers who assisted her on the difficult journey, and she was extremely grateful for the love and tireless efforts of her care teams at Utah Cancer Specialists, Utah Gastroenterology, the Mayo Clinic, Avera Health, and Dougherty Hospice Home. Aarika will be donating her body to the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota to help provide future generations knowledge of early onset colon cancer.

In lieu of flowers, Aarika wished for all donations to be given to the family for the children's college education funds.