Karl Olav Gregg, 47, of Colton, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026, at his home from a heart attack. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Baltic Lutheran Church in Baltic, South Dakota. Interment will follow at the Minnehaha Lutheran Cemetery, rural Colton. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Chapel in Colton.
Karl was born on June 22, 1978, in Sioux Falls to Gary Gregg and Valynda Gaye Rittal. He grew up in Colton and later in Brookings. In 1992, Karl lived and attended school in Norway while his dad was working for Daktronics in preparation for the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. They returned to Colton and Karl graduated from Tri-Valley High School. He worked various jobs after high school including at Daktronics as an electronics assembler.
Karl was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage and proudly displayed the Norwegian flag in his room. He was an avid sports fan and loved the Chicago Bears and White Sox. He also enjoyed gaming and listening to music. Karl had a huge heart, and even when dealing with his own struggles he always stood up for the underdog and those less fortunate. Karl often talked about returning to school to become a counselor so he could help those struggling.
Karl is survived by his parents: Gary Gregg, Colton, and Gaye Rittal, Eugene, Oregon; grandmother, Darlys Rittal Nehlich; aunt, Julianne (Kevin) DiPiazza, Sioux Falls; uncle, Billy Gregg, Sioux Falls; cousins, Tyler Anderson and Kali Wipf; his beloved service dog Skooter; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Clyde Gregg, Vivian Kouri, and Thomas Rittal.
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