Mary Louise Karels

Mary Louise Karels, age 72, of Saint Clair, died on Friday, August 20, 2021 at her home from complications of COVID-19 and cancer.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Saint Clair. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Northview – North Mankato Mortuary and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. The Mass will be livestreamed and available on Mary's obituary page at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Mary Louise, the daughter of Harold and Rosella “Sally” (Drummer) Hawker, was born on September 9, 1948 in Mankato. She graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1967. On July 8, 1967, she married Thomas Karels at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lake Crystal. Mary began working as a dishwasher with her mother at the nursing home in Lake Crystal. Then later Mankato Free Press, Merry Maids of Mankato, Our Lady of Good Counsel food service, and a printer at Carlson Craft. She has always been a dedicated housewife. Mary was a member of the St. Clair American Legion Post 475 Auxilliary and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of St. Clair. Tom and Mary were announced St. Clair Grand Marshals and Fan of the Year for the St. Clair Schools and they were a family supported by One Bright Star from the loss of their 18 year old son, William. Mary was also a member of the St. Clair Women of Today. Tom and Mary enjoyed bowling league, camping, gambling at casinos, birdhouses, flower gardens, traveling to Branson with their adopted mother, Mary Miller, and spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Tom Karels, Sr.; sons, Tom, Jr. (Sheila), Stacey (Sarah), and Chris (Carrie); grandchildren, Elizabeth, Andrew (Morgan), Allie, Jordan, Madison, William, Morgan, Michael, Maci, and Brandon; great grandchildren, Matthew, Caleb, Peyton, Corbin, Evie, Delanie, and Hudson; siblings, Larry (Bev) Hawker, Jerry (Marsha) Hawker, Pat (Tim) Frank, Diane (Mark) Frank, Deb Hawker, Dan (Karen) Hawker, Nancy Bryant, John (Julie) Hawker, and Mike (Judy) Hawker, Sr.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, William “Boots”; brothers, Gary (Sharon) Hawker, Bill Hawker, and Robert Hawker in infancy; brother in law, Larry Bryant; godchildren, Adam Hawker, Nikki Pucik and Rebecca Redford.