Obituaries 05/08/25

Barb Bares, 86

In Loving Memory of Barb Bares

July 3, 1938 -April 23, 2025

Barb Bares was born on July 3, 1938, to Karl and Florence Love. She spent her early years between Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Hopkins, Minnesota, eventually graduating from Hopkins High School in 1956. Eager to learn and with a spark of humor, Barb enrolled at the Minnesota School of Business, pursuing a double major in accounting — and what she fondly referred to as her “MRS degree.”

It was there that she met the love of her life, Joe Bares. The two were married on December 22, 1958, beginning a partnership built on love, family, and faith. Together, they were blessed with three children, Donna, Jay, and Kathy.

Barb brought her talent and dedication to a successful career managing several construction companies as their trusted office manager. Her work ethic was matched only by her devotion to her family and the joy she found in life’s simple pleasures.

Barb loved gardening, which she continued to enjoy well into her 80s. She had a passion for canning, volunteering, and crafting — especially decorating the wooden projects Joe lovingly built. Her voice was a cherished part of church choirs over the years, and evenings often found her happily solving puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.  Barb also loved vacationing with her family during the years their kids were growing up. She enjoyed camping for many years. After her and Joe’s retirement, they fell in love with their annual trips to Branson in the Fall and going on Cruises in the winter. Her and Joe eventually went on over 20 cruises in their retirement years. Some of these cruises were just the two of them, but they also enjoyed many cruises with family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe; her parents, Karl and Florence Love; her sister, Leighann Love; and great-granddaughter, Lillian Westphal.

Barb’s legacy lives on in her children, Donna (Tim) Erickson, Jay Bares, and Kathy (Adam) Olerich; her nine grandchildren, Jason (Keri) Erickson, Heather (Glenn) Lawrence, Josephine Erickson, Ryan (Megan) Bares, Brandon (Donna) Bares, Tyler (Annamarie) Bares, Joseph Franks, Maria Franks, and Melissa Franks; and her 12 great-grandchildren.

Her life was one of love, laughter, faith, and family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Memorial service for Barb Bares will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 P.M. at Riverwood Covenant Church in Greenfield with a visitation one hour prior to services at the church.   

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

George Karels Jr., 61

George Joseph Karels Jr., age 61, of Waverly, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 25, 1963, to George and Laura (Bokusky) Karels in Winsted, Minnesota. 

George grew up in Waverly and was a lifelong resident of Woodland Township. George met the love of his life, Ann Klingelhoets, in 1980, and they were wed in 1982. To this union, six children were blessed.  

Family was George’s focus. Hosting and being with family put him in his peaceful place. He was known for finding a grandchild and sliding off into a secluded corner to spend quality time with them. George had a way with children and preferred them to adults.  

George owned and operated the family business, KBS, Karels Brothers and Sons and grew the business into a complete recycling conglomerate.  

George had a way to draw people into the Karels family and whatever the family was up to. He was the mischievous instigator and role model to many. 

George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Laura (Bokusky) Karels; father-in-law, Donald Klingelhoets; aunts and uncles and other extended family.  

He is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Charity (David) Marketon, Philip (Monique) Karels, Joseph (Sara) Karels, Bethany (Joshua) Vogelpohl, Courtney (Tyler) Schumann, George III “Drew” (Ashley) Karels; 16 grandchildren, Christopher (Alix) Marketon, Destiny Pryatel, Casey Marketon, Josh Marketon, Phoebe Karels, Dominic Karels, Georgyanna Marketon, Keanen Schumann, Castiel Karels, Reagan Karels, Emmalyne Schumann, Haelen Karels, Cyrus Karels, Josclynn “JJ” Vogelpohl, Beau Schumann, Case Vogelpohl; one great-grandchild, Oliver Marketon, and one on the way; siblings and spouses, Roger and Karen Karels, Tom Karels, John and Kim Karels, Bruce and Holly Karels, Daryl and Shannon Karels, Marvin and Gayle Karels, Dale and Laura Karels, Jacob and Angie Karels;  Brenda Amundson, Diane and Steve Hoiland, Susie and David Brown, Roseann and Dave Lent; honorary family members, Shawna and Galen Krummel, Wayne Zitzloff, Lily Pepper, Layla Johnson, Jazzy Johnson, Zander Johnson, and Rhea and Ki Walters; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Church of St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly, Minnesota. Visitation was held from 4-8 P.M. on Tuesday, May 6, with a 7:30 P.M. prayer service and continued from 10-11 A.M., Wednesday, prior to Mass, all at the church. Interment was in the church cemetery. 

Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.