Gail L. Karber

Gail L. Karber (76) longtime St. Maries, ID resident passed away at her home on September 11, 2025. She was born to Donald and Mabel (Norton) Karber on February 21, 1949, in Spokane, WA. Gail's childhood started out in Plummer, ID for a few years before her family moved into St. Maries, ID. Gail grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1967.

Following high school, Gail attended Kinman Business School. She met Jim Toland, the couple married and made their home in St. Maries, ID. They had 2 boys Brad and Trevor, and they were the apple of their mother's eyes. Jim went to work for the Iron Workers, and his job took the family to Grand Coulee, WA. They spent over a year there before moving to Spokane then to Fairfield, WA. While in Fairfield, Gail attended cosmetology school in Spokane. Once she became licensed, she worked with Jeri Kay Enzler cutting hair. Jim and Gail divorced, and she moved to California for several years.

In 1983 Gail moved back to St. Maries and opened her salon Hair Designs in a little shop behind the bowling alley where she built up quite the clientele. After 5 years in that space, she relocated her salon to the Shadowy St. Joe Mall at the Pines Motel and ran her salon in that location for well over a decade until a fractured shoulder made it impossible to fix hair anymore. Gail then bartended and managed the Eagles bar for several years; however, she was forced into retirement when she had her battle with cancer.

Looking for change and her health starting to fail, she moved in with her son Trevor and spent time in Missoula and Spokane for 5 years. She had a knack for finding treasures, specifically antique jewelry, and this hobby became profitable as she became a professional seller on eBay. When she returned to St. Maries in 2016, Gail continued eBay, and then she took up crochet. Talented at anything she tried, if Gail found a new hobby or anything she wanted to do, she would perfect it. She made beautiful Afghans, sweaters, gloves, mittens, and doilies. An exceptional cook, she tried her talents at candy and made some of the best around. Her gifts of candy or crochet items were treasured by her family and friends.

Gail will be remembered for her beauty and her sassy personality. She is survived by her son's Brad (Sheryl) Toland of Kent Washington and Trevor Toland of Las Vegas, NV; grandchild River Toland of Kent, WA; brothers Gene Karber of Calder, ID and Pete (Rochelle) Karber of Clatskanie, OR; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents Donald and Mabel Karber.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Gail's life will be on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries, ID. A potluck gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow.