Theresa Karls-Ewen
October 17, 1929 - January 14, 2017
Obituary
“Well done, good and faithful servant” were the words softly whispered to Theresa Bernadette Karls-Ewen. She passed from her earthly life to new life in heaven on January 14, 2017. She was surrounded by her loving family as together they prayed the rosary with her and for her. Theresa's faith and trust in God sustained her through 87 years of life, a life which she lived to the fullest. Theresa was born on October 17, 1929 in Billings, the sixth of seven children born to Triphon and Marie Goosens Wambeke. She was raised on the family farm in Deaver, Wyoming. It was there that she was instilled with the morals and values that she would one day pass on to her own family. Theresa attended Deaver Public School through 9th grade and finished her high school education at St. Patrick's Catholic School in Billings (today known as Billings Central Catholic High School). In 1947 she was a part of the first graduating class and crowned the first prom queen her senior year. Theresa went on to further her education at the Billings Business College. She joined a Catholic singles group called the Patrician Club and it was there that she met the love of her life Donald Richard Karls. On January, 1951 Theresa and Donald were married at St. Patrick's Church. They not only built a house together, they also built a home filled with love, prayer, discipline and laughter. Together they were blessed with 8 children (Jim, Joe, Janice, Larry, Nancy, Marian, Robert and John) to fill their home. Theresa's life and the lives of her children were forever changed on February 5, 1965 when Donald had a tragic accident at work and passed away the following day. As a young girl Theresa had always dreamed of working at an orphanage one day and as we see it God had a little different plan for her. He blessed her with her own little orphanage of 8 children between the ages of 1 and 12 to raise on her own. She nurtured, guided, loved and disciplined us, but most importantly she taught us about the gift of our faith. Her faith community and extended family were of great support for her. She was a member of the Blessed Mother Circle at St. Patrick Church. Mom always put her family first, however, she worked hard outside the home to support her family. While her children were in school she worked in the lunch room at Fratt School and eventually worked in the office of BCCHS. Other jobs she had over the years were a receptionist at the Billings Clinic and secretary at Milestone Petroleum. Theresa also worked the customer service department at Hennessy's, which is now Dillard's, and retired in 1999. After being widowed for 30 years and raising all of her children, Theresa married Robert Ewen on July 1, 1995. They enjoyed the companionship they shared in their later years together. With their marriage, Theresa gained a stepson Mike, to share her love with. Theresa always had a way of giving back and helping others in a time of need. She gave of her time to help with the funeral lunches at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral Church. She volunteered at St. Vincent Hospital and at the Council on Aging. As a family we were a team at Relay for Life for several years. Mom so put her heart into it, that one year she was awarded 1st place for the individual person who raised the most money. Mom was often referenced to as Mother Theresa in our family. It was perfect because her name is Theresa and she is our mother. She lived a life with so many similarities of Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta. She lived a humble and simple life and yet so very rich. Mom prayed the rosary daily and had great devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary. She watched over many small children and shared God's love with them. Her unconditional love for each and every person who came into our family was amazing. Mom's compassion for her family and others was extraordinary. She always welcomed everyone into our home, she visited the sick and brought food to others in a time of need. Without question we've had every reason to call her our “Mother Theresa”. We also believe in our hearts she truly is a saint. Beyond being a wonderful wife and a great mother she was a very adventurous and fun lady. She loved the great outdoors whether she was camping, hiking, boating or snowmobiling. She loved to travel near and far. Although the trip of her life was touring Europe she also enjoyed trips to New Mexico, California and Wyoming to spend memorable times with family. After retiring she and Bob enjoyed traveling and going on cruises together. Indoor activities that she enjoyed were bowling, playing pinochle and best of all she loved to dance the two-step and polka. During her retired years she made photo/history scrapbooks of both the Karls and Wambeke families for her children and their families to treasure forever. She also sewed blankets and lap throws for cancer patients. Theresa is survived by her husband of 21 years, Robert Ewen. The fruits of her labor are many as she is also survived by her large family. What started with 8 children has grown to 92 family members. Surviving her are her daughters: Janice and Jim Allen, Kelly, Corey, (Kyle/Abriella), Kimberly, (OJ and Casey/Steven, Elijah); Nancy and Jim Nielsen (John and Jeannine/Jordan, Jack), (Amanda and Tyler Johnson/Bella); Marian and Pat Burton (Mallory and Jared Harris/Matteo, Arabella, Rocco), (Bryce and Megan Burton/Amelia and Karlee); sons: Jim and Kathy Karls, Jesse, (Jason and Sarah/Thane), Jacque and Brian Kosmann/Gavin, Emma, Ollie and Grayson), Josh and Jolene; Joe and Patty Karls (Shawn and Kim/Brentin, Caleb, and Trinity), (Angie and Aaron Gotfredson/Jolee, Whitney, Maxine, Stella); Larry and Mary Karls (Jenny and Matt Blades/Houston) Stephanie and Justin Brown, (Allyson and Jeremy Clark/Aaron, Bradon, and Caleb); daughter-in-law Shelly Karls (Philip and Colleen/Maddie, Taylor, Robbie and Kara), (Eric and Katelyn/LouLou), Kevin and Randy; John and Kathleen Karls, Jonah, Grace, Lissa and Kenny; step-son Mike Ewen/Cassie, Levi and Payton. She is survived by sisters-in-law Norma Karls and Shirley Wambeke, along with many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Theresa was preceded in death by her first husband Donald Karls; her son Robert Karls; sisters, Marie Lundquist, Catherine Perella, Elizabeth Lohrenz, Virginia Henry and her two brothers Emil Wambeke and Tom Wambeke. “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.” Visitation will be 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Thursday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday; with a vigil service at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 20 at 6:00 pm. The Celebration of Life Funeral Mass will be at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral on Saturday at 10:30 am. Anyone wishing to make memorials in Theresa's name may consider one of her choices: Billings Catholic Schools.org (Building Fund); Adult Resource Alliance; and St. Patrick Co-Cathedral. Memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com
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Memories
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JulieWambekeWambeke
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I am married to one of Theresa's nephews, Gary Wambeke. We were over visiting Billings and had stopped by Theresa's and Bob's to say hi. Another of her nieces was there too and kinda getting a little above her raisin'. Theresa looked at her and told in not so many words that she should remember where she came from. I laughed later with Gary and told him I knew now where his attitude came from.
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Susan Fischer
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When I was teaching at Billings Central, I could always count on a warm smile from this lovely lady. She was kind, classy, and smart. I know she made a lasting impact on all of her wonderful children.
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Lori
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With deepest sympathy to the family. Certainly loosing a loved one is hard to bear. We miss them in our lives. A scripture that has helped me cope with loss is John 5:28,29. Here Jesus promises "the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out ". That promise of a resurrection assures us that he wants to reunite us with our loved ones again.
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Jenifer Sheehy
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Mrs. Karls had such amazing grace! Growing up, I did not think of her a widow, but as a mother who moved through her day with diligence, kindness, and purpose. For Fratt kids, she was part of the fabric of our days, as I recall she often attended the 8 a.m. weekday Mass, served our lunches in the church basement, and in high school, monitored our attendance and other activities with her quiet surveillance at Billings Central. We wouldn't dream of being tardy or returning from an absence without a note for Mrs. Karls. She could be found at all after school events, supporting her own and others' kids from the bleachers. I realize now how very busy she must have been, working and raising eight children, but she never seemed in a rush or disorganized, always poised and peaceful. I saw her a year or so ago, and thought she would not recognize me after 40 years, but of course she did! and I was amazed to find her practically unchanged by those decades. She had the same familiar smile that started in her eyes and spread to her whole face, that I remembered from my youth and still see in her children. Go in peace, Mrs. Karls. Jenifer Sheehy
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Daisy Delaney
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I didn't see Theresa often but she was always there when our families got together and Theresa always had a big smile and a chuckle adding joy to these events. I remember going camping with her and how she loved to interact with everyone and was full of energy making it fun for us all! I know she influenced so many people in such a positive way and held her head high with no complaints when enduring her own hurts and struggles. She was a true role model.
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Margi Sheehy
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Mrs. Karls was one of the first remarkable women I'd met in my life. The best of what humanity is. I'm sorry for your loss, Nancy and Marion and all the Karls clan.