Karl E. Mahns, age 60, went home to be with his Lord on June 7, 2008, at his home in Havre after a courageous battle with schleroderma.
Karl was born on October 23, 1947, in Havre to Ernest and Louise Mahns. On July 18, 1966, Karl married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Hay. Karl and Nancy raised two sons, Arnie and Tim. For nine years, Karl worked in law enforcement as a police officer for the city of Harlem and as a deputy sheriff for the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office. Karl also worked as a Ford auto mechanic from 1966 until his retirement in 2006. In 1981, Karl graduated from Vennard College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, with a bachelor’s degree in Bible and pastoral ministries. Karl served as the pastor of the Harlem Evangelical Church for three years from 1981 to 1984. Karl also served as a pastor during the 17 years they spent in Portland, Ore. Karl enjoyed spending time working on building projects, visiting and ministering to people in the hospital, and vacationing in Hawaii, and more than anything else, Karl loved spending time with his wife and family. Karl is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Nancy; his two sons, Arnie and Heather Mahns of Brisbane, Australia, and Tim and Jeannine Mahns of Havre; his mother, Louise Mahns of Lewiston, Idaho; three brothers, Ed and Mae Eckman of Cul-De-Sac, Idaho, Fred and Sissy Mahns of The Colony, Texas, and Garth and Pat Mahns of Meridian, Idaho; and three grandsons, Harrison, Bryce and Ethan Mahns. Services were held at 11 a. m., today, June 11, 2008, at Fifth Avenue Christian Church in Havre. An additional memorial service in Oregon will be held on June 19, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Lynchwood Church of God in Gresham, Ore. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home is assisting the family.
