Dear Lisa and family ~ I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending you all a hug with much Love to comfort your grief.
Mary Polce

Dad,

I've been struggling trying to come up with the words to describe how I feel about losing you. Because the truth is....you were absolutely everything to me. My first best friend, the first important man in my life. It's so hard to think about you because what I think I miss the most about you is that you were such a CONSTANT in my life. You weren't a sappy or emotional man, but the people you loved sure knew that you loved them. You were the total embodiment of showing up for the people that you love. I can't remember a single time in my life when you weren't there for me. You always had my back no matter what, no questions asked. And when I struggled as a single mom at such a young age, you were always there to support me and help guide me and be there for the boys and I. You never missed a game, a phone call, a chance to hang out....and I can't thank you enough for that. You'll never know how much that meant to me. I'm fortunate that I married a man that has that same trait, because you made me realize how special it is. When I had my daughter, she quickly realized how special and magical you made the world too, and she absolutely adored you. You never met a stranger, or someone you couldn't talk circles around or crack a joke with.  I don't know how to accept that you're gone. I have so many more random talks I want to have with you. So much more gossiping to do with you. My life will never be the same without you. There's no one else on the planet like you. You were truly one of a kind, Dad. It just feels like a world without you isn't meant to be. But I'm going to do my best to honor your memory every day and make you proud. I love you forever, with all of my heart.

Love,
Katherine ❤️

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Mahlandt as a child through my friend Lizzie. Whenever I came over to the Mahlandt's house during middle school, high school, and college, I always felt so welcome because Mr. and Ms. Mahlandt created a home of belonging. I'll always remember the warm feeling I had when seeing Mr. Mahlandt's heartfelt smile and generosity as I walked into their home. I am sending the Mahlandt family lots of love during this challenging time ❤️  You all are in my heart.

Dad, 

I don’t have the words to describe how I am feeling now that you’re gone. I have a dad size hole in my heart and it’s not something that is going to go away.

What I wouldn’t give to have one more day with you. One more “hi sweetie”. One more hug. One more sunrise on the beach. One more round of Liverpool rummy. One more crossword puzzle. 

You’re gone too soon and my heart is broken. But I will hold on to our memories. I will share them with Hazel and Henry (how I wish you had the chance to meet him, you would have loved him) to make sure you live on. 

You had such an impact on everyone that you met. You were a fountain of knowledge, an epic conversationalist, and a lover of the simple things in life. 

You may be gone but you’ll never be forgotten. I’ll see you again one day. I’ll meet you on the beach, where the ocean meets the sky.

I love you more than you’ll ever know.

Your baby girl, 

Elizabeth ❤️

I will always remember Karl as one of the funniest guys I knew.  His dry sense of humor, his calming way and his gentle ways.  I can’t imagine him ever being angry at anyone or any thing.  We Bixby’s loved him to the moon & back.  
When uncle Lin was in hospice one of the nurses said that as much as we miss him here, on the other side it’s a reunion!!!  I hope so!!!  Can’t y’all see them up on a cloud partying???
I hope & pray that’s what it’s like for them.
Adrienne & Jimmy & I love u all & will miss Karl ALWAYS.

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Mahlandt when I was in 6th grade, by befriending his daughter Lizzie. Little did I know then how he would welcome me like a member of his family. Now at 31, I am grateful for all of the memories that he and his family have given me. Mr. Mahlandt was a warm, gregarious, helpful person, who might give you a little grief for not visiting more, and then talk to you for hours about how life’s been. He was excellent at crossword puzzles, and I remember more than once asking him not to give us the answers as we stared at the unfinished puzzle in the newspaper. I’ll remember him watching Lizzie and I play tennis all through middle and high school, remarking from outside the fence about this play or that. I’ll remember us all working the concession stand at the JV football games - him manning the fryers while we girls ate snickers and handed out plates of nachos. I’ll remember him being there for me in the harder parts of life, like after my own dad passed away, and Mr. Mahlandt helped me get my car fixed, because he probably knew that’s something I normally would’ve asked my dad to help with. Mr. Mahlandt welcomed me like a daughter pretty much since I met him. I can’t really describe how much that meant to me, but anyone who knew him knew that his presence in your life was special. You knew he had your back. You knew he would talk to you about anything and nothing. You knew he was going to be exactly who he was gonna be, no matter what. It’s really hard to imagine life without his warm, inviting presence. But I was so lucky to know him for as long as I did. And when I miss him, I’ll see him sitting outside on a beautiful day, and I’ll pull up a chair, so we can have a chat about how life’s been.

We'll miss you Karl.  Always enjoyed your conversations and your laughter.  The Smiths

Karl was a father figure and safe space for many, myself included. He had a unique ability to connect with anyone he was around and make them feel like a part of the family. He was someone who would do anything for those he cared about. He always told it as he saw it, but you could feel the love in his words. Thank you for everything, Karl 💛

Ah, Karl Mahlandt, there will never be another man like you. Nope. Not on Earth and not in Heaven. You were one of a kind.   I have spent a lifetime loving you, first as friends at age 8 in Sunday School to dating in 12th grade in high school and marrying in 1980.  We have tested our marriage vows through sickness and health, for richer or poorer and til death do us part and I would not trade one single moment spent with you.  Your legacy as a loving husband, doting father and Granddaddy carries on through our amazing daughters (Katherine, Sarah and Liz) and our grandchildren (Gabriel, Lucas, Jordan, Hazel, Freya and Henry).  We will miss your easy smile, sharp wit, wicked sense of humor and warm heart.  I love you with ALL my heart.  Lisa XXXOOO

OBITUARY

Karl Edward Mahlandt

July 21, 1958 – March 10, 2025

Nelsen Funeral Home & Crematory - Reid Chapel

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