RUSH CENTER — Leon Benjamin Karst, 95, Rush Center, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kan.
Leon was born Feb. 10, 1927, to Benjamin “Ben” and Magdalena “Lena” (Dietz) Karst on the family farm near Galatia, Kan.
He was baptized and later confirmed in the Christian faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Milberger, Kan.
Leon attended public school at Galatia, Kan. He attended high school for two years at Hoisington, Kan., before his father needed him to help on the family farm during World War II. Later in life, he completed his GED.
Leon met Wanda Rose Hemken during a Luther League convention in Estes Park, Colo., and they were united in marriage on June 11, 1950, at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kan. She preceded him in death Aug. 15, 2021.
For the first seven years, Leon and Wanda made their home on the Karst family farm near Galatia, Kan., before moving to the Hemken family farm, Wanda’s birthplace, near Rush Center, Kan., in 1957. They lived there until 2019 when they became residents of Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kan.
Leon and Wanda were blessed with five children, Jeannine, David, Stephen, Richard and Charles. Their marriage spanned an amazing 71 years.
He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kan., where he taught Sunday School and served the church in various other capacities. Leon served as Soil Conservation supervisor for 15 years, and was a member of the Rush Center Lions Club until it disbanded.
Survivors include, one daughter, Jeannine Moore and husband, Tom, of Pueblo, Colo.; three sons, David Karst and his wife, Kelli, of Fort Collins, Colo., Richard Karst and his wife, Rhonda, of Rush Center, Kan., and Charles Karst of Claremore, Okla.; five granddaughters, Katherine (Karst) Storie and husband, Douglas Jr., Ashlyn Karst, Rayna Karst, Kelsey Moore and Jordyn Karst; five grandsons, Brandon Yost, William Karst, Nathaniel Karst and wife, Andrea, Caleb Karst and Collin Karst; and great grandchildren, Weiland Yost, Wallace Yost, Elliot Karst and Blakely Karst. Leon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Stephen Joel Karst; one daughter in law, Sharon (Wells) Karst; two brothers, Arthur “Art” Karst, and Carl Karst; two sisters, Florence Wilhelm Veach, and Viola Dumler; and one foster sister, Esther Nuss.
Memorial service will be Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kan., with Pastor Wayne Baldyga officiating. A private family inurnment will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Rush Center, Kan., at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kan., or Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kan. Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Janousek Funeral Home
P.O. Box 550
La Crosse, KS 67548
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 16, 2022
