Delores L. Karls, 84, Howard, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2024, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Delores was born June 10, 1939 to the late John and Lucille (Berenz) Bonlander. On September 6, 1958 she married the love of her life, Bernie Karls.  Together they celebrated over 52 years of marriage.  Even as her disease progressed she still found him handsome!

Survivors include her children: Linda (Dan) Kuester, Howard; Lois Karls (Jim Gmack), Green Bay; Mike (Brenda) Karls, Waukesha; grandchildren: Tina (Mike) Pier; Mariah (Christian) Guevara; Courtenay and Mackenzie Karls; great-grandchildren: Olivia and Ethan Pier; Graham and Zachary Guevara; brother Vern (Karen) Bonlander; sister Marge (Gary) Lilyquist, all of New Holstein; brothers and sisters-in-laws: Jim Schleh, New Holstein; Roman (LaVerne) Karls, Green Bay; Erv (Sandra) Karls, St. Peter; Ruth (Gerald) Koenig, Plymouth; Joan (Ronald) Sabel, Marytown; George Karls (Carol), New Holstein; Audrey Karls-Mueller (Jim), Fond du Lac; and many nieces and nephews.

Delores is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bernie; sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane and Jerome Hoffmann; sister Carol Schleh; niece Cheri Steffen; brothers-in-law, Joseph and Robert Karls.

Delores was a woman of faith, a regular attendee at Sunday Mass, and an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary and Christian Mothers.

Delores enjoyed Country music, watching Wheel of Fortune, the Nightly News, the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Wisconsin Badgers. She found joy in playing games such as Sheepshead and Kings in the Corner, and her enthusiasm for bingo was well-known.

Family gatherings, canning vegetables, and long walks were among Delores's favorite pastimes. Delores and Bernie shared wonderful travel memories, visiting Branson, Las Vegas, Alaska, and Washington D.C., and spending many precious times with family Upnorth.

Delores took immense pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her dedication to serving others was evident in her professional life, where she spent 30 wonderful years as a baker at St. John the Baptist School, enjoyed her time as a bartender at the Duck Creek VFW and many other events as a volunteer.

In her later years, Delores resided at New Perspective, where she embraced the camaraderie of fellow residents. Her warmth, kindness, and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to gather at St. John the Baptist Church at 2597 Glendale Ave., Village of Howard on Thursday, June 13, 2024 with visitation from 10am-12pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Unity Hospice and the Alzheimer's Association. Special thanks to New Perspective of Howard and Unity Hospice for providing exceptional care.