Donna Karls

Donna R. Karls, age 62, died on Sunday, Mar. 22, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital following a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Donna was born in Dodgeville with her twin brother, Daniel on Aug. 15, 1952, to Walter and Florence (Knuth) Adler. She attended Sauk Prairie Schools. Donna was united in marriage to Michael G. Karls on Nov. 3, 1973, and they lived in Waunakee. She had been employed at Kerry Ingredients for 14 years. Donna loved watching her grandchildren's sporting events as well as the Packers, Badgers, Waunakee Warriors, Lodi Blue Devils, and watching movies. Donna loved flowers and had a real appreciation of birds and loved to feed them on her deck, especially a pheasant that would visit her home daily. Donna was always known for her compassion and caring for others, as was shown when she cared for her father for six years in her and Mike's home. Her greatest love was for her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Mike; three children, Bobbie Jean (Jay) Kite, Michael James (Janel), and Adam Patrick (April); grandchildren, Zachary and Evan Kite, Carter, Benjamin, Emma, and Jacob Karls, Lukas Karls and a future grandchild; two sisters, Sharon (Phillip) Hendrickson and Susan (Fred) Rudolph; a brother, Kerry (Jane) Adler; a brother-in-law, Carey Langer; her in-laws, Alfred and Mary Ann Karls; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David (Annie) Karls, Alan (Terri) Karls, Herb (Rose) Karls, Ray (Sheila) Karls, Vincent (Nancy) Karls, Paul (Diana) Karls , and Donna (Russ) Nath; and a special daughter, Kathy Jasper and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved pets, Thunder, Dallas, D.O.G. and Pepe. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Judy Langer, Bill Adler, Nancy Adler, David Adler, Randy Adler, Daniel Adler, Debi Albion and September Blinks.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Mar. 26, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St John's Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee. Msgr. James Gunn will officiate. Friends may call the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee on Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2015, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. Luncheon at St. John's school to follow.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ranum, Dr. Habeeb, nurse, Christina, Dr. Raman, Dr. Kruse and the Pulmonary staff on the 8th floor of St Mary's Hospital.


Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI