A Life Interwoven with Philanthropy: Elmer Karl

A thriving community relies on members to work together in creating a brighter tomorrow. Luckily for Gregory, South Dakota, giving back to his hometown is woven into Elmer Karl’s DNA. He has become a household name in South Dakota through his business, Karl's TV, Audio, Appliances and Furniture.

Elmer has appeared in commercials promoting the business for more than 50 years, and many South Dakotans are familiar with his smiling face and classic slogan: “Your servicing dealer since 1956.” From a single store in Gregory, Karl’s has grown into the region’s largest independent electronics and appliance dealer, operating 28 stores in six different states.

Elmer was raised on a farm near Gregory and attended a one-room school during his younger years before graduating from Gregory High School. He gave the family business a try and farmed for about two years, but it wouldn’t last. “The farm was too small for my brother and me, and I had a dream to go to California,” he said.

Before Elmer could follow his dream, he was drafted into the Army and trained in electronics, spending 13 months in Korea. Following his Army service, he attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago and was subsequently employed by Marshall Fields as a television technician.

Elmer had a desire to return to his hometown, and since returning, he has never looked back. In fact, the headquarters for Karl’s TV, Audio, Appliances and Furniture is still in Gregory to this day. Elmer not only returned home, but he invested in it.

When asked why he gives back, Elmer shared, “It can be a battle for small towns to survive, but it looks like Gregory will, and the town has been good to us. We’ve enjoyed living here.”

Elmer partners with SDCF through a donor advised fund. He is thankful for the flexibility available with this fund type, and the ability to choose where every dollar is donated.

Elmer has invested financially in Gregory in unique ways and continues to be an inspiration. He was a founder of the Gregory Coin Laundry, Mats Inc. and the Homesteader Restaurant. In more recent years, he purchased the local movie theater and formed a nonprofit community group to run it. He purchased the local locker plant so Gregory could keep the business and then leased it to the new operators. He was also instrumental in convincing a Canadian company to build a farm product manufacturing plant in Gregory.

When asked if any of these contributions stand out to him, Elmer replied, “I don’t really have a favorite because they are all a need, but the movie theater worked out.”

Gregory as a whole has worked out, thanks in large part to the philanthropy of Elmer Karl.

Inspired by Elmer Karl? Please visit SDCommunityFoundation.org or call 800.888.1842.