The visitation and funeral service for Florence Karsten, age 91, of Manning will be Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. The visitation will be one hour before the service.
Reverend Jonathon Conner will officiate.
Hymns, accompanied by Carlys Stribe at the organ, include 'How Great Thou Art,' 'Amazing Grace' and 'What A Friend We Have in Jesus.' Casket Bearers are Adam Karsten, Daniel Karsten, Keith Schroeder, Bob Haack, Lyle Karsten, and Delane Dalton. Burial will be in the Manning Cemetery.

Florence Ellen, daughter of Vertus and Clara (Jensen) Lamp was born May 13, 1920, at home on the farm southwest of Manning, Iowa.

She was baptized on October 9, 1921, in Aspinwall. She attended rural schools near her home.

Florence was united in marriage with Lester William Karsten on June 5, 1946. The couple rented the Lamp family farm for several years and then, in 1949, purchased a farm southeast of Manning in Audubon County. Two children were born to this union. Florence was a homemaker, however wherever they lived she sold Stanley Home Products. She really enjoyed this job for over fifty years and did not give it up when she worked for The Vogue in Carroll. In 1978 Florence and Lester retired and moved into Manning.

Florence was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning where she was confirmed on. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. Florence and Lester enjoyed going to dances in the area and playing cards with their friends.

When Lester’s health began to fail in 1999 he became a resident of the Manning plaza where he died on December 19, 1999. Florence remained active and lived in their home until 2006 when she moved to the Anthony Apartments. Florence enjoyed crocheting and other crafts. After Lester died she spent many, many hours crocheting. Florence was a strong woman, surviving her first bout with cancer in the early part of the 1950s.

In 1993 she sustained another bout with cancer. It was not until 2009 that she entered the Manning Plaza due to declining health. She died there on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the age of 91 years, 9 months, and 13 days.
Preceding her in death are her parents and husband.

Florence is survived by her two children daughter Joyce Finnell of Omaha, Nebraska, and son Lyle Karsten and wife Judy of Grand Island, Nebraska; two grandchildren Adam Karsten and wife Angela of Omaha, Nebraska, and Daniel Karsten and wife Candace of Lincoln, Nebraska; four great grandchildren Taylor, Mason, Max, and Jax; sister- in-law Elaine Struve of Manning; nieces nephews, other relatives and many friends.