KAREN HALER

KAREN HALER 10/16/1943 - 09/20/2025 Karen (Smith) Haler, 81, of St. James died on September 20, 2025, at Good Samaritan in St. James. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in St. James with Father Timothy Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in St. James. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com. Karen was born on October 16, 1943, to Ben and Marian (Zender) Smith in St. James. She graduated from Butterfield High School. On July 28, 1962, Karen married Albert Haler. They spent 20 years in the Air Force, residing in Idaho, Germany, Mississippi, Arizona, and North Dakota. In 1981, they relocated to the family farm north of St. James. Karen was involved in the Catholic church and a member of Catholic Daughters. She worked for over 20 years at Pleasant View Nursing Home, facilitating activities with residents, and volunteered there after retirement. Her interests included crafts, baking, gardening, traveling, and cooking for her family. Karen and Al spent several winters in Arizona with family and friends. Survivors include children, Jim (Elaine) Haler of St. James, Scott (Cynthia) Haler of Bloomington, and Michelle (Daniel) Felix of Placitas, N.M.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Kevin (Jan) Smith and Alan (Crystal) Smith; sisters, Kathy Peters, Marcia Moerke, Teresa (Bob) Liesenfeld; and sister-in-law, Vickie Smith. Karen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Al; brother, Richard Smith; and sister, Barb Boerner.