Denny Karsten

DENNY KARSTEN

Blairstown

Denny Karsten, 53, of Blairstown, passed into God's hands on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids follow a short, but courageous, battle with pancreatic cancer. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown, by Pastor David P. Rempfer. Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 6 p.m Sunday and after 9 a.m. Monday at the church. Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, is serving the family.

Denny was born Jan. 31, 1961, in Marengo, to Dale Sr. and Mary Karsten. Denny married his wife, Holly (Fiester), on Nov. 28, 1981, and they made their home in Blairstown. Denny was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Denny's most passionate love was his wife, Holly; and their daughters, Tyler and McKenna.

He never missed an event or an activity they were involved in and anyone that spoke with him knew how proud he was of his girls, and the beautiful women they have become.

Before and after having his own children, Denny cherished all of the time he spent with his nephews and nieces, Luke, Clint, Josi, Justin and Emily, whether it was playing in the yard, hanging Christmas decorations or their yearly "Adventureland Extravaganzas." Denny most recently had the joy of continuing that bond with the next generation of great-nephews, Fletcher, Kingston and Ivan.

Denny's loss will be felt deeply by his family which includes his wife of 32 years, Holly; daughter, Tyler Karsten and Cody Schilling of Waterloo; daughter, McKenna Karsten of Cedar Falls; their faithful dog, Jake, who laid at Denny's feet the final days he was home; and sister-in-law and her husband, Jeri and Don Maas of Norway, and their children, Lucas and Beth Maas and son Fletcher, of Cedar Rapids, Clinton Maas and Erica Nourse of Breckenridge, Colo., and Josi and Austin Teneyck and son Kingston, of Cedar Rapids. Denny was also able to hear the news that Fletcher is going to have a baby brother and was so excited for him.

Also, his mother-in-law, Jo Fiester of Blairstown; sister-in-law and husband, Dixie and Joe Hyde of Ames and their children, Justin Hyde and Holly Hanson, and Justin's son, Ivan, of Des Moines and Emily Hyde and Edward Bignor of Ames.

Denny also is survived by his mother, Mary, and brother, David, both of Marengo; his sister, Deanne and Doug Kinzenbaw and their family, Darrin, Katie and Danelle, of Marengo; nieces and nephews, Allison and Travis Schlabaugh and Ashlea and Austin, all of Marengo, Cara and Seth Stoddard and their family, Noah, Owen, Aiden and Asher, of Waverly, Neb.; and aunt and cousin, Ruth and Mary-Anne Karsten of Napa, Calif.

Denny was preceded in death by his father, Dale Sr.; brother, Dale Jr.; uncle, Everett; and aunt, Luella.

Denny was a devoted employee of Magna International for over 29 years, with the majority of those years at Benco Manufacturing, and more recently at Victor Manufacturing. Even in his last days he spent any hour he could at work in hopes of supporting his Magna family.

Denny was a wonderful husband, father, uncle and friend.

May God lift us past our sorrow and help us rejoice in Denny's Heavenly victory.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneral home.com.