RAPID CITY--Peter (Poppy) Lawrence Karn, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus when he died unexpectedly of a brain aneurism on Sunday, February 16. Pete was born to Nicholas and Elizabeth Karn on May 3rd, 1933 in Stapleton, NE. After graduating from Rural Baker High School, Pete joined the Marines and proudly served his country in Korea. Shortly after his return to the United States, he met the love of his life, Maureen Edgell, who was his wife until her death in 1997. Together, they had five children, and family became the focus and pride of their lives. Pete was a loving, devoted father who always put the needs of his family first, and he and Maureen took great joy in watching the family grow to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to tinker and fix things and was never content until he could figure something out. This served him well in his long career in telecommunications, where he was instrumental in building the first cable TV system in Rapid City with the Multipix Corporation. He was a self-taught engineer who had a long career in the communication business, ending with his retirement from KCLO TV in 2007. Pete was an avid supporter of youth baseball, never missing one of his kid's or grandkid's games and he was a familiar face in the stands. He kept both Post 320 and Post 22 baseball caps in his car and would switch when he walked across the parking lot to take in another game. Pete was always able to make a friend out of someone he just met. He had the great ability to start a conversation with someone he happened to meet and five minutes later he had a friend. His small town roots never left him and that is how he lived his life. Pete leaves behind his five children: Angela (Steve) Nash, Waunakee, WI; Patrick (Connie) Karn, Rapid City; Teresa (Bill) Pembroke, Flower Mound, TX; Christopher (Jeanie) Karn, Grand Island, NE; Tobin (LeRae) Karn, Rapid City; 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Pete was preceded in death by his loving wife Maureen, his grandson Dakota and his sister Joan. Before his death, Pete gave strict instructions to not have a funeral or any other memorial service; however, in their last act of disobedience, his kids will host a celebration of his life at the Chop House in Rapid City from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19. Friends and family are welcome. Memorials may be made to Storybook Island.