Kenneth Karsten

KENNETH KARSTEN

Blairstown

Kenneth William Karsten, 85, went peacefully to be with his Lord, with his family at his side, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at

Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown, with the Rev. David Remfer officiating. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church.

A memorial fund has been established.

Kenneth was born July 21, 1929, near Marengo, to William and Meta (Burke) Karsten. On Feb. 14, 1954, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Sturtz at St. Martin's Lutheran Church near Marengo.

He had been a lifelong member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church before the closing of the church in 1984, when he transferred membership to Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown.

He was an accomplished carpenter and enjoyed building replica buildings. His greatest joy came from traveling with his grandchildren. Kenneth served as a 4-H leader and loved attending his grandchildren's 4-H shows.

Kenneth farmed in the Marengo and Blairstown area and had been employed at the Amana Society, Solar Homes and Sullivan Graphics in Marengo.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, LaVonne Karsten of Marengo; his sons, David (Kay) Karsten of Solon, Steven (Patty) Karsten of Middle Amana, Alan (Carrie) Karsten of South Amana and Gary (Dawn) Karsten of Marengo; his grand-children, Adam and Erin Karsten, Josh Karsten, Jamie Smith, Emily Sworobowicz, Rachael Karsten and Ross Karsten; several stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren with two on the way; and his brother, Alfred (Lorene) Karsten of Marengo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandson, Eric Karsten.

Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrange-ments and condolences may be left at www.phillips

funeralhomes.com.