Clara Karls Obituary

Clara Karls, 92, formerly of Mandan, died April 19, 2004, at a Bismarck care center. Services will be at noon Thursday, April 22, at Church of St. Joseph, Mandan, with the Rev. Patrick Schumacher officiating. Burial will be in Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. today at Marillac Manor, Bismarck, and will continue from 3 to 9 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a Catholic Daughters of the American's Rosary will be held at 4 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be held for one hour before the service at the church.

The daughter of Karl and Agatha (Wehle) Steiner, Clara was born May 3, 1911, at Kenmare, N.D. She was raised and educated at Kenmare, graduating from St. Agnes High School. To further her education, Clara attended Minot State University and Bismarck State College. She also taught in a country school before leaving Kenmare.

She married William T. Karls on Nov. 7, 1931, at the Church of St. Agnes in Kenmare. They moved to Mandan prior to World War II. Bill and Clara played for dances in The Royal Kings Orchestra, played on radio station KGCU and on the KFYR Farm Front.

As World War II began, Clara moved with her husband to Tacoma, Wash., where they worked in the ship yards. Following the war, they moved back to Mandan where Clara began playing with the George Eckroth Band. She also played organ at St. Joseph's Church for over 40 years. When Clara moved to Marillac Manor, she continued to play the organ.

As a legal secretary, her career began in 1952, with John Lord. She remained with the same law firm as it added attorneys including Chub Ulmer, Bruce Bair, John Mahoney, Robert Vogel, Malcolm Brown, Benny Graf, Dewey Kautzman and others. She retired from the office in 1992, at the age of 81.

Clara was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for 70 years. She was also a founding member of the Servants of the Sacred Heart.

Her faith was special to Clara; she walked to church everyday for Mass. She served as an RSVP volunteer for many years. Clara and her long-time friend, Marguerite Maddock led Bible studies and Holy Hours at the Mandan Villa. The Rosary was an important part of her life.

Clara is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Karen Karls, Bismarck; her grandchildren, Kevin and Kim Karls, Bismarck, Kristin and Tony Hollar, Brainerd, Minn., Korey Karls, Minneapolis, and Kristopher Karls, Bismarck; one great-grandson, William Alan Karls, Bismarck; and two sisters, Agnes Mortell, Fergus Falls, Minn., and Betty Cannon, Fargo.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, William, who died in 1975; her parents; and two brothers, Albert and Karl.

To share memories of Clara and sign the on-line guest book, go to www.parkwayfuneral.com and click on "Recent Funerals".

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Bismarck Tribune on Apr. 21, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Clara Karls

3 Entries

John and Connie Sylvester

May 12, 2004

To Clara's family...we remember how gracious and understanding Clara and all of you were when Connie's mom Freida Heine and Clara were in the hospital in 2001--sincerity and wisdom in all our visits--may you find comfort in your loving memories and in the thoughts and prayers of your many friends. With kindest thoughts, John and Connie Sylvester We also remember all the beautiful irises she shared with Freida!!!

Ernie Borr

April 21, 2004

To Ken, Karen and Family of Clara: We learned of Clara's death today and wish to express our symphathy to you in the loss of your mother. She was a very special lady and I very much enjoyed my relationship with her as organist at St. Joe's. Clara was always "upbeat". I think her inner metronome was set on allegro. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We regret that we will miss attending Clara's funeral as we are still in Mesa, AZ.

Gay Maddock House

April 21, 2004

My sympathy to Ken, Karen and family, and to all who knew and loved Clara so much. Clara was always such a loving, caring, giving person. Whenever anyone had a need, she did all she could to fill it. Everyone else always came first. Even during the time when walking was difficult for Clara, and my Mother, Marguerite Maddock was in St. Vincent's, Clara would walk the long distance to Mother's room to visit with and read to Mom. Clara was like a second mother to me. We spent many hours visiting and her spirituality was so great that I always felt uplifted by the gentle way she shared her faith. Now that she has entered into Eternal Life she will be a special intercessor until we all meet again!

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

In His Love,

Gay

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