Karla Renee Brown was born on January 5, 1970, to Carroll 'Shorty' Brown and Katherine (Bachmann) Brown in Wagner.

Funeral services took place at Zion Lutheran Church on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery.

WhenDaddeliveredthenews of a brand-new baby girl, he was met with less-than-happy faces from a 15-year-old brother and sisters who were 10½ and 3½ years old. Her brother did not want a crying, stinky baby in the house. However, when summer came and Karla was a very cute six-month-old, that all changed. He quickly discovered that if he put Karla in the buggy or stroller and headed to the swimming pool or softball field, all the 15- and 16-year-old girls would rush to his side to help him. Mom didn't need a babysitter that entire summer.

It was never a mystery what profession Karla would choose in life. Even in kindergarten, playtime often consisted of grabbing a hairbrush to use as a microphone while interviewing the family pets, Kandi and Jose, or her stuffed animals. Sometimes she would serenade them with songs she had learned in kindergarten, causing the dogs to howl in appreciation of her lovely radio voice. As a pre-teen, she and her best friend entered the Wagner Labor Day Talent Show. The song they practiced over and over for months was, of course, Pilot of the Airwaves.

Karla graduated from Wagner Community School in 1988. She was active in oral interpretation and could play a pretty mean flute. After high school, she attended Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota, where she earned degrees in Communications, with an emphasis in television and radio broadcasting, and Business Management.

Following graduation, Karla began her broadcasting career at KKCK Radio in Marshall, Minnesota, as an on-air personality. In 1994, she made the move to the big city of Sioux Falls. She worked at several stations and in various on-air shifts with Results Radio until she landed her dream job as the midday on-air personality for MIX 97.3. She remained in that role until 2020, when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her treatments made it necessary to transition into a new position, and Karla became Production Director and Continuity Manager for Results Radio/Townsquare Media. She continued in that role until just one week before entering hospice care at Ava's House.

Karla's profession was her driving force to stay alive and keep fighting. She was forever grateful for her dedicated listeners and the unwavering support they gave her throughout her cancer journey. Her commitment to broadcasting never wavered. Whether working remotely while receiving chemotherapy or even from a hospital bed, Karla remained devoted to the career she loved. Her dedication earned her numerous awards and accolades.

Karla was nominated for EmBe's 50th Annual Tribute to Women Award in the field of Business Achievement. This year, she was also inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Rollers Hall of Fame in recognition of her decades of work as a radio disc jockey.

Although Karla lived in Sioux Falls for 32 years, she was always a Wagner chick at heart. Her hometown community surrounded her with messages of love, support, and encouragement throughout her illness. They even organized rummage sales and bake sales to help with her cancer-related expenses.

Several Sioux Falls organizations, along with her beloved radio family, were also instrumental in helping ease financial burdens and making life a little easier during her battle. To all of you who supported Karla and our family, you will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents, Carroll 'Shorty' and Katherine Brown; her brother, Terry Brown; and her sister, Darla.

She is survived by her brother, Russell (Colleen Taylor) Brown of Fairfax; her sisters, Wanda (Rose Garrison) Brown of Sioux Falls, and Maureen (Ray Emmett) Fischer of Parkston; nieces and nephews Brian Brown, Sarah Brown, Jesse Fischer, Jacob Fischer, Ashlea Fischer, and Emily Fischer; and her great-niece and great-nephews, Axel Nedved, Vaela Nedved, Camden Fischer, and Gaige Petersen.

Arrangements were made with Heritage Funeral Home – Sioux Falls www.heritagesiouxfalls. com In lieu of flowers, Karla requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to one of the following organizations: Leiomyosarcoma Support & Direct Research Foundation Please indicate that your gift is made in memory of Karla Brown.

Sioux Falls Area Humane Society

This donation honors Karla's beloved Miss Kitty, her faithful support animal throughout her cancer journey. Please indicate that your memorial gift is in memory of Karla Brown and designate it for the care and adoption of cats and kittens.

Ava's House

Memorial donations may be made in remembrance of Karla Brown.