Cindy Karch

Celebrating a Life Well Lived and Loved

It is with deep sorrow we share the unexpected loss of Cindy Karch who passed from this life to the next on November 19, 2025 in Mankato, MN at the age of 71. Cindy was born on April 19, 1954 with a steadfast spirit touching the hearts of many with her love, kindness, hospitality and generosity. She will be deeply missed.

Cindy was born in Olivia, MN to Norman and Peggy Lehrke from Bird Island, MN. Before she started school, her family moved to Mankato, MN where she grew up. She graduated from Mankato West High School in 1972. She moved to Escondido, CA in the mid 1980’s until moving to Harlingen, TX in July 2014. Recently, in July of this year, she moved back to Mankato to be near the family she missed.

Cindy’s long-time career as a photographer for Sears Portrait Studios brought her so much joy. Her creativity and connection with children were captured in her portraits, creating lasting memories and blessing all the families who came to her studio. After many years in the studio, Consumer Products Incorporated, who owned Sears Portrait Studios, recognized the talent and customer service she brought to the industry and offered her a corporate position opening new studios and training studio managers passing on her legacy of skills and talent. In 2005 Cindy retired from CPI earning high recognition for all that she brought to industry.

Cindy’s love of, and time spent with, her family, friends and her four-legged friends was time she valued the most. Her happiness was making others feel welcomed and loved. Her favorite things to do were whatever others wanted to do - she was easy going and wanted everyone to have a good time and leave with good memories.

She will forever be remembered for her love of animals. Cindy had a huge heart for rescuing dogs, giving them a spoiled life, always pampering her babies. Her heart of gold still had room for more, and bigger, animals as she enjoyed spending time with horses. She boarded and cared for many horses at the family ranch. Cindy also enjoyed trail riding with her own horse, Breezy, and making memories with family and friends.

Cindy’s spirit and the fond memories shared by many will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

She leaves behind her devoted husband of 20 years, Tim Karch, and her dog Panda Boy; two stepsons David Karch of Escondido, CA and Robert (Kathleen) Karch and step grandchildren, Conner, Blake, and Princess Sophia of Las Vegas, NV; sister Vicky Fiegener, North Mankato, MN, brother Chuck (June Staley) Lehrke, Lake Havasu, AZ; nieces and nephews Naomi (Michael) Smith, Nycole Rutjes, Angie (David) Gretz, Chasity Lehrke, Calais Melvin, Logan Lehrke, fourteen great nieces and nephews, six great-great nieces and nephews, aunt Donna Gallo, uncle Derald Lehrke, many cousins, and her longtime friend BJ Abbey. She will be missed by those she loved deeply and without a doubt welcomed by those she longed to see again.

Cindy is preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Peggy Lehrke, Grandparents Charles and Anna Lehrke and Roy and Martha Minnick, former husband Marvin (Butch) Smith and her nine well-loved and cared for four-legged kids.

A Memorial Service remembering Cindy’s life will be on Saturday December 6, 2025 at Woodland Hills Funeral Home, Mankato, MN. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, memorial service at 2:00, with internment following the service.

Cindy was looking forward to shopping for gifts for the little ones this year. So, in lieu of flowers or donations, we request an unwrapped toy donation in her honor to “Toys for Tots” with a gift tag to read, “Merry Christmas, Love Cindy”.

Cindy will be forever remembered with love and for her courage and strength to carry on.