Gerald L Karns
May 30, 1939 - May 31, 2014
DHS1958
Gerald L. Karns, 75, Deadwood, SD, died Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.
Gerald was born on May 30, 1939 to Coye and Genevieve (Hanson) Karns in Bison, SD. He married Wyomia Jo Fruit on December 6, 1963. He started working as a machinist in 1958 and moved on to work underground for Homestake Mine and then for Boeing in the mid-sixties. In the late 60’s he became a concrete mason which led to building his own trade shop, Karns Machine, in 1972. He later became an independent machinist around the Black Hills. He was an avid flat track dirt bike race in his younger years, as he got older he had the same passion in wanting to produce minerals such as gold, silver, tantalite and rare earths at the Tinton Mine.
He is survived by his three daughters, Ashley (Bill) Griffith, Lead, Tawnee (Jarrod) Stark and Korrie (Johnny) Wise, Gillette; ten grandchildren and brother, Larry (Ricki) Karns, Spearfish. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wyomia, sons, Todd and Shane Karns, brother, Randy Karns and his parents.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 6, 2014 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Mt. Lawn Cemetery in Lead. A memorial has been established to the Twin City Animal Shelter in Lead.
Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
