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Elizabeth A. Karsten Obituary

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Karsten, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at West Wood of Bridgman. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Father Jack Pfeiffer officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5PM until 8 PM, on Friday, November 1, with a prayer service beginning at 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, MI or Berrien County Cancer Service Inc., 3900 Hollywood Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

She was born at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital on August 27, 1932, to Edward B. & Mary M. (Enders) Calendar. Betty married David Eugene Karsten September 27, 1953.
She graduated with honors from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1950. After graduation Betty was employed by Peoples State Bank, Inter City Bank, and Cedar Wood Medical Center. While attending St. Joseph Catholic Highschool (Ponies) Betty was a four-year letterman in cheerleading, which carried with her through all her sons and daughter's multiple St. Joseph sport teams. Later she welcomed the opportunity to cheer on her grandchildren as well; always front and center beaming with pride.

Betty's many hobbies included a large assortment of handmade crafts, with a flair for decorative clay figurines. In her backyard, she tended to numerous rows of rose bushes, which led to dry flower arrangements always being plentiful throughout her house. In the front yard, there were always the current holiday festive decorations. She regularly attended St. Joseph Catholic Church and enjoyed singing in the choir and volunteering for many other duties.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Edward & Mary; husband, Dave; oldest son, Christopher “Kit” Karsten. She is survived by her sons, David and Keith Karsten; daughter, Mary “Mim” Grammel; grandchildren, Jeff and Megan (Grammel) Truesdale, Marc and Cassy Jackson­ Grammel, Alec and Jennifer Karsten, Mike and Ellery (Karsten) Ashbaugh, Krystal Karsten, Tim and Paige (Karsten) Bammann, and nine great- grandchildren.

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