Leah Rae (Herard) Karlin

At 90 years of age, our mother earned her angel wings today.  She fought a hard battle with dementia and is at peace.  Rae was born in Elgin, Kansas to Francis W and Imogene Herard.  She was one of three children.  

At five months of age, she lost her mother and went to live with her aunt and uncle, Bill and Marie Bowman.  She lived on a ranch outside of Pawhuska, Oklahoma until her dad remarried and the family was reunited.  She was raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where she graduated from high school.  Rae worked as a telephone operator.  

Good friends, Billy and Bonnie Jueschke introduced Rae to Karl V. Karlin.  They dated and were married on September 19th of 1954.  They moved to Borger, Texas when Karl went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company.  Four children were born of this union, Mike in 1955, Karla in 1957, Jean in 1958 and Julie in 1966.  Rae was an excellent housewife and was active in her children's lives.  Baking cookies and attending school activities.  She was an avid reader and quilter and made many beautiful quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Karl's job took them to Norway in 1977. Rae loved to travel to many countries overseas.  After Karl's retirement, they moved back to Borger, Texas. They were blessed with nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.  Rae will be greeted in Heaven by her parents, her husband, Karl; son-in-law Dale Florer; grandsons Joshua Karlin, Jarrod Florer; great granddaughter Faith Florer; and brother David Herard.

Those left to cherish her memory are children Mike Karlin (Ruthie), Karla Florer, Jean Rose (Steve), Julie Espinoza (Joe); grandchildren Gabe Karlin, Ginnie Karlin, Jacob Florer, Joseph Florer, Jennifer Rose, Taylor Willems, and Tristan Espinoza; great grandchildren Michael Karlin, Daisee Karlin, Madelynn Whitfield, Gracee Florer, Jameis Florer, Samantha Watson, Cooper Watson, and Aspen Willems; and sister Franc Ann Johnson.

The family would like to thank Guided by Faith of Amarillo, Texas, for their loving care of Rae over the last year: Norma, Lisa, Molly, Maria, and Linda.  Also to Minton-Chatwell for always taking care of us in our time of need.  

Rae will be laid to rest with her husband, Karl, of 65 years in Ponca City, Oklahoma.  Rae was a registered Osage Indian of the Osage Indian Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  She was very proud of this heritage.  Our mother was loved very much, and we will miss her. But her spirit will live on in each of us.

Memorials may be made to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.