Memorial Service for Karen Joy (Cooper) Holt, 80, of Aberdeen, SD will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Aldersgate Church in Aberdeen, SD with Pastor Derek Baum officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Karen passed away July 7, 2023 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor.
Karen Joy was born October 2, 1942 in Britton, SD to Denzil Leroy “DL” and Doris Emaline (Raish) Cooper joining Half Sister Shirley Beach and Brother Denzil Dale “Denny” Cooper.
Karen attended Brampton Country School in Brampton, ND until its closing. She and her brother then transferred to Britton, SD to complete the remainder of their high schooling. Karen graduated from Britton High School in 1960. Following High School, she attended North Dakota School of Science in Whapaton, ND for Business where she completed her degree in one year and began working for Frank Farrar at his law office.
On September 18, 1971 Karen was married to Derald Dean Holt in Britton, SD at the Methodist Church. Derald and Karen then moved to Pierre to help the Holt family manage hotel/apartment buildings, The Royal D and the Royal H near capitol lake. During that time, Karen also worked at a law office in Pierre. A few short years later the couple, along with Derald’s parents Joie and Viola Holt relocated to a ranch just outside of Aberdeen to raise their family where Karen remained until recently.
Derald and Karen welcomed two sons, Justin Cooper and Jordan Timothy Joseph. They loved to follow the boys in sports and their livestock show career from small 4-H shows around the state to attending large National Livestock Shows around the United States. Karen was always the fanciest lady in the barn, likely sporting a pair of heeled shoes and plenty of jewelry to match. Karen had memories of different shows they had attended and the people they met along the way which always held a special place in her heart. When the “Holt Brothers” were in the ring, you were sure to spot Karen proudly following behind them.
In her later years, Karen worked at Johnson Investments for Orin Johnson and family for nearly 20 years, which she took great pride in.
Karen’s greatest joys beyond her two children were by far her grandchildren! She lived for the call to snuggle a little one or rock someone to sleep. She could be found participating in evening baseball games in the front yard or pushing another one on the swing set. She hosted many sleepovers at her house which entailed lots of snacks and of course ice cream! Karen was sure to be spotted at almost all the grandkids’ sporting events, school concerts and especially livestock shows, in the stands, keeping track of the results. Her love and pride in watching the next generation of the Holt family take to the ring was something many could see just by watching her ringside.
Karen leaves behind a family who will miss her very much but envision that there was a man in a cowboy hat waiting nervously for her arrival and what a glorious reunion that must have been. Her legacy will forever live on through her children and grandchildren.
Grateful for sharing her life are her sons Justin (Kali) Holt and Jordan (Amanda) Holt; grandchildren Haleigh, Maggie, Charlee, Cooper, Jayden and TeeJay Holt; sister-in-law Ruth Cooper, sister-in-law Darlys (Dennis) Holm, brotherin- law Darwin Holt, sisterin- law Shirley Holt, many nieces, nephews and extended relation.
Preceded in death by: her beloved husband Derald Dean Holt (2005), her parents and siblings as well as extended relations.
