LaVern E. "PeeWee" Karst 1927 - 2009

HOISINGTON — LaVern E. “PeeWee” Karst, 82, died Nov. 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Born July 9, 1927, in rural Galatia, he was the son of Georg Peter Karst and Freda (Schwartzkopf) Karst. On Dec. 27, 1952, he married Joyce Eurich in Milberger. She survives. A lifetime resident of Barton county and a Hoisington resident since 1955, he was the retired owner of Karst Construction Company of Hoisington.

Mr. Karst was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428 and the American Legion Post No. 284, both of Hoisington, and served as past commander of VFW Post 7428 and VFW Seventh District.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Karst, of Hoisington; a son, Terry Karst and wife Denise of Wichita; a daughter, Ramona (Mo) Burke and husband Russell of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, LaVonne Walters, a brother, Leslie Karst, and a sister, Twila Bitter.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger with the Rev. Del Strecker and the Rev. Amy Austin officiating. Burial will be at the Milberger Cemetery with military honors by VFW Post 7428 and American Legion Post 286. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and at the church from noon until service time on Wednesday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or VFW Post 7428, all in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
415 N. Main/P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
620-653-4165
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Nov. 24, 2009