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BORN
1930
DIED
2026
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Helen Karls Obituary
November 15, 1930 - March 6, 2026
LODI/DANE - Helen (Dresen) Karls, of Lodi, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Sienna Crest, Lodi. She was born on Nov. 15, 1930, in Martinsville, WI, the daughter of John and Anna (Wildenberg) Dresen. She married Mienrod Karls on Oct. 18, 1949. They lived most of their lives on the family farm in Dane, raising eight children. They were married 46 years until Mienrod's passing in 1995. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Tom Karls; her brothers, Jack (Alma) Dresen and Louie (Lucy) Dresen; sisters, Sally (Al) Hornbeck, Kay Lynch and Loretta (Bill) Goff; her brothers-in-law, Roman (Bernie) Karls and Herb (Clara) Karls; and sisters-in-law, Rosella (Bill) Stoffels, Leona (Joe) Ziegler and Mary (Cyril) Ripp.
Helen is survived by her six daughters, Jane (Chuck) Zwettler, Jean (Jim) Olsen, Sue (Jim) Karpinsky, Sandy (Steve) Lane, Joan Lord, and Karen (Doug) Schutz; her son, Jim (Cathy) Karls; daughter-in-law, Dawn Karls; 25 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends who were blessed by her presence.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE PARISH AT ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, 109 South Military Rd, Dane, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with Fr. Anthony Kersting presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow.
For more information and online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main St.
(608) 592-3201
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Karls
Sponsored by Gunderson Lodi Funeral and Cremation Care.
1 Entry
Sharon Kruschek
March 15, 2026
So sorry for your loss of Helen. I met Helen through Red Hats. I just loved her. A lot of laugh when we traveled for Red Hats. When I think of Helen it reminds me of her smile and laughing. God Bless Helen and all of her family.
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Gunderson Lodi Funeral and Cremation Care157 S. Main St P.O. Box 17, Lodi, WI 53555
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