Imelda Mae "Millie" (Engel) Karlin

Imelda Mae “Millie” Karlin

Imelda Mae “Millie” Karlin, 88, Hays, passed away on January 3, 2023 at Via Christi Village in Hays. 

She was born May 23, 1934 in Ellis, Kansas the daughter of Florian and Clara (Rohleder) Engel.  On October 24, 1955 she was united in marriage to Marvin Karlin at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.  He preceded her in death on January 9, 1993.  Millie worked at Farm Bureau Insurance Company for 25 years and then for USDA Rural Development office for 27 years, retiring in 2001.  She kept active and social in various community organizations throughout her lifetime, serving on the Parish Council and as a Perpetual Adorer at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.  She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella Circle #254 for 65 years and was selected as the Kansas Daughter of the Year in 2002.  Millie was active in the local chapter of AARP where she enjoyed many lively conversations and made new friends, and was named Woman of the Year in the Hays Business and Professional Women’s Club, coordinating the Jerry Lewis Telethon at the Hays Mall and forming lifelong friendships.  She was most proud of being a Senior Companion for over 21 years, helping numerous seniors and their families remain in their homes. 

Millie had an incredible work ethic and when she wasn’t working or volunteering, she loved traveling to see her daughters and grandchildren.  She was also very proud to be an Ellis native and a 1951 graduate of Ellis High School.  Her heart always beat a “little bit faster” she said when she entered the city limits of Ellis.

Millie is survived by two daughters, Beth Malatin (Mike) of Enid, OK and Mary Akagi (Brett) of Lenexa, KS; two sisters, Norma Sander of Great Bend and Elgerine Gross of Hays; four grandchildren, Mikaela and Meredith Malatin and Kyler and Cameron Akagi.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Marvin, by three brothers, Clayton, Darrell, and Verlin (Butch) Engel, and by one sister, Phyllis Stuart.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.  A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:30 and a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, both on Friday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Millie’s memory to the Senior Companions at FHSU or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Condolences and memories of Millie may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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