Thomas Karls

Thomas G. Karls, age 86, of Waunakee passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Waunakee Manor Health Care Center. He was born on Nov. 13, 1925 in the Town of Dane to Joseph and Lena (Miller) Karls. He married Odelia Greiber on Sept. 12, 1950 at St. Martins Catholic Church in Martinsville. They had a strong and valued marriage that lasted almost 62 years. His working years were spent farming, at the Dane Feed Mill, Middleton Farmers Co-op, St John's School and as a crossing guard for the Waunakee School District. Tom was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. He pitched as a southpaw for several years for the Waunakee Home Talent baseball team. He loved a well manicured lawn and his large gardens. He spent many hours keeping them looking the best they could be. Tom was always ready for a good game of cards, with euchre and solo being his favorites. Tom's greatest and cherished love was his family. He truly enjoyed visiting and visits from his children and grandkids. Tom's love for the Packers and Badger football and Brewers baseball kept him interested in the Wisconsin sports scene.
Survivors include his wife Odelia; six children, Dianne (Dick) Hess, Vern (Sherry) Karls, Don (Sarah) Karls, Jane (Dale) Poland, Pete Karls, and Jean (Dave) DesRochers; his grandchildren, Scott (Beni) and Jerry Hess, Carrie (Shane) Ottosen, Gregg and Kent Karls, Breanne and Ian Karls, Evan, Chelsea, Laura, and Kresta Poland, Tara and Mick Karls, Kyle, Dylan and Lexi DesRochers; and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jared Karls. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Gerald) Maly and Sister Stella Marie Karls; a sister-in-law, Priscilla Karls; bothers and sisters-in-law, Herman and Genny Greiber, Ray and Betty Greiber, and Chuck and Marcy Greiber. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, Martha Meffert, Ann Karls, Margaret Hellenbrand, Delephine Petranek, Johanna Schwab and Mary Hellenbrand; four brothers, Sylvester, Arnold, Joseph and Wilbert; sister-in-law Loretta Karls; and five brothers-in-law, Peter Meffert, Ed Petranek, Linus Schwab, Ben Hellenbrand and Roman
Hellenbrand, along with Leo and Josephine Greiber, Leander and Verena Hellenbrand and Francis and Delaphine Klein.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, 209 South Street, Waunakee. Monsignor James Gunn will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery.
Thank you Dad for all your love and support. Thank you for teaching us strong family values. Thank you for showing us the strength you had up to your final day. Thanks for the legacy you have built. You are the brightest star. Until we meet again, may you rest in peace.
The family would like to thank the Waunakee Manor for their excellent care and support over Dad's final weeks and days. The family would also like to thank Monsignor Gunn for his visits, prayers and masses.