Karla Harksen

Karla Harksen, 78, of Rock Island, passed away, Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus.

A Celebration of Life held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 3:00pm at The Logger House located at 256 S State Ave Hampton Il 61265.  Memorials may be made to the family to help for funeral expenses and donations can be made at Crabby's Bar & Grill, Coal Valley, IL or The Logger House, Hampton, IL.  Cremation rites have been accorded.

Karla was born on May 16, 1945 in Davenport, a daughter of Robert and Rosemary (Reck) Garhardt.

Karla enjoyed cooking for others, fishing, camping, and horses.  She loved being outdoors and found joy in working in her garden and stargazing.  Karla would go out of her way to help others and any kind of animal.  She was a wildlife rehabilitator and could care for almost any kind of animal or bird.  Her favorite state park was Wildcat Den.  Above all she loved her children and grandchildren and cherished the time she spent with them.

Those left to honor her memory include children Steve Bloomer, Hattie (Brian) Moore, Sarah (Ryan Stoner) Harksen and Nicole Roberts; grandchildren Conner Welk, Cameron Welk, Makaila Welk, David Bloomer and Jacob Oberlander; great grandchild Theo Welk; and siblings Sue Slatery and Bob Gerhardt. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lynn and Joan, daughter and son-in-law Mary and Riley Wiskirchen and great-granddaughter Paisley Jo Welk.