Lester W. Karsten

Lester entered the service on August 25, 1942. He was with the 535th Battalion Anti-Aircraft Division in General George Patton's Army. Lester served in various camps before embarking for foreign service on July 22, 1944. After the invasion of Normandy he fought through France, Belgium, and Germany. The Battle of the Bulge was the major battle. After the war was over, Lester returned home on November 22, 1945.

Manning Monitor article------ 1943

Likes Army Life Fine
Pvt. Lester Karsten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Karsten, writes that he likes the army fine and sends greetings to all his friends here. He is stationed at Camp Callan, California.

Manning Monitor article------ 1944

Writes From England
Manning Monitor,
Dear Friends:
How is everything back home? I surely like it here where I am. I am somewhere in England and it is very beautiful here.
I sure will enjoy the Monitor t when it gets here. It seems good to read all the news from home.
Here's hoping that everybody is feeling fine there. I am feeling just swell.
Your Friend,
Lester Karsten

In Loving Memory LESTER W. KARSTEN

Service TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1999, 10:30 AM ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA
Officiating PASTOR DANIEL VOGEL & PASTOR CURT DWYER
Congregational Hymns "How GREAT THOU ART" "AMAZING GRACE" "JUST AS I AM"
Organist FERN JENSEN
Military Honors: AMERICAN LEGION EMIL EWOLDT POST 22
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 3517
Interment MANNING CEMETERY, MANNING, IOWA
Casketbearers: KEN JENSEN, KEITH SCHROEDER, BOB HAACK, GARY DAMMANN, LOUIE BOELL, VIRGIL REID

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE

Lester William, son of Henry and Emma Ruhde Karsten, was born November 14, 1908, on the family farm in Carroll County, Iowa. He was baptized at home on October 23, 1910. He attended rural school near his home and farmed with his father. Lester was confirmed on February 20, 1927, at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning.

After his father quit farming Lester worked for other farmers until he entered the United States Army in August of 1942. On November 22, 1945, he received his honorable discharge. The following year on June 5, 1946, he was united in marriage with Florence Ellen Lamp. They rented the Lamp family farm for several years. Then in 1949 they purchased a farm southeast of Manning in Audubon County. In 1978 they retired and moved into town.

Lester was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed dancing, playing cards, and fishing. He also liked to watch sports.

Due to failing heath, Lester became a resident of the Manning Plaza on September 13, 1999. He died there on Sunday, December 19, 1999, at the age of 91 years, 1 month, and 5 days.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother in infancy, and a sister Rosella Hargens.

He is survived by his wife Florence Karsten of Manning; one daughter Joyce Finnell of Omaha, Nebraska; one son Lyle Karsten and his wife Judy of Grand Island, Nebraska; two grandchildren Adam and Daniel Karsten; three sisters; Edna and her husband Joe Sonksen of Manning; Florence and her husband Merlin Schroeder of Manning; and Elaine Struve of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.