HOISINGTON - Arthur “Art” Augustine Karst, 99, died Dec. 17, 2020, at his home in Hoisington. He was born Jan. 23, 1921, near Galatia, to Ben and Magdalena (Dietz) Karst. He was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger and attended elementary school at District #66 in Galatia. As many young men, he continued helping on the family farm northeast of Galatia until he joined the Air Force in July of 1942. He trained at San Antonio, Texas, Oklahoma City, Okla., Winfield, Kan. and Victoria, Texas. He served in New Guinea, the Philippines, Australia and Okinawa. He was promoted to Captain, flew the DC3 and was honorably discharged in 1946, awarded with numerous medals and seven Battle Stars. He returned to Galatia and married Esther Fern (Landdeck) Jan. 4, 1948, in Milberger. Esther died Dec. 3, 1999.
A lifetime Barton County resident, Art operated his farm and custom farmed from 1947 until 1987, selling his farm in 2010. Following retirement he worked as a therapist and CNA at Great Bend Manor and Club One Fitness. During his farming career, he worked for the Barton County A.S.C.S. office from 1955-1964, and worked part time as a construction carpenter from 1950-1982. He had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia, since the 1950’s, being involved over the years as Luther League sponsor, church council deacon and chairman, Sunday School superintendent and church choir member. Art was also a member of V.F.W. Post 7428 and American Legion Post 286, both of Hoisington. Survivors include two sons, Mark Karst and wife Deborah “Debi” (Hansen) of Seattle, Wash. and their children Kailee and Benjamin, and Kurt Karst and wife Melissa (Larkin) of Sweeny, Texas, and their children Kristopher and Mekaela; one brother, Leon Karst and wife Wanda of Rush Center; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in passing by his wife, Esther; son, Arlen Karst; brother, Carl Karst; and by two sisters Viola (Karst) Dumler and Florence (Karst) Veach.
Our dad never lost his love for the freedom of flight, nor did he lose his love for the people around him. He loved to hear and share all the stories of people’s adventures and successes that he met in day to day life. He always looked for the good in the people around him. He will be missed by those who knew him.
Funeral services will be 11:00 Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Pastor Nancy Mitchell will preside. Masks and social distancing required. The funeral service will be live streamed on www.nicholsonrickefh.net. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Galatia, with military honors conducted by McConnell Air Force Honor Guard. Visitation will be Noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 21, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
PO Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 20, 2020
