Robert Edwin Karle

Robert Edwin "Bob" Karle, 84, formally of Topeka, passed away July 7, 2015 at Stormont-Vail Hospital. He was born in Ordway, Colorado on December 13, 1930 the son of Alexander and Emma (Meisner) Karle. He was a graduate of La Junta High School in La Junta, CO and attended Otero Junior College. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954. He was a Timekeeper for the Santa Fe Railroad from 1959 until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the Kansas Woodturners. Bob was passionate about woodworking and lawn and gardening. He loved traveling to his vacation home in Woodland Park, CO. He was not afraid of hard work and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Bob married Barbara Phillips in La Junta, Colorado on May 9, 1952. She preceded him in death on August 21, 1996. He married Phyllis Meyer on August 26, 1999. They later divorced. He is survived by his children, Susan (Dennis) Tomasallo of Charlestown, Indiana, Eva (Marty) Willis of Topeka, Kansas, Mary (Wayne) Kollenkark of Minnetonka, Minnesota and Robert (Amy) Karle of Topeka, Kansas, two sisters, Katherine (Jim) Wood of Pratt, Kansas, Carol (Jon) Peters of Gresham, Oregon, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and his longtime friend and companion, Mary South. He was preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, Alexander, Thomas, James and John Karle. Bob will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Friday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Graveside services will be held at Claytonville Cemetery in Brown County, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. with military honors provided by the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Kansas Association of Woodturners and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.