Violetta Louise Karst

Karst, Violetta Louise
Violetta Louise Karst, 81, died April 26, 2011, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness. She was a loving Wife, Mother, and Nana. Violetta was born February 17, 1930 in Albert, Kansas to the late Otto, Sr and Ellen (Arnold) Oetken. She graduated from Otis High School in 1948. During her junior year, she met the love of her life, Marvin Karst, and they were wed June 24, 1948. As they shared their first dance as husband and wife, it was pouring down rain and lightening filled the reception hall, but still they danced. Mrs. Karst was an asset to her husband's business, Karst Dirt Construction, working as the bookkeeper for 28 years. She and her husband moved to Mesa, Arizona upon retirement in 1999. Her interests included playing card games and hand painting china. In addition to her love of dance, she treasured singing. She sang in high school competitions, and she was a member of a trio that traveled through the valley. But her greatest joy was spending time with her only granddaughter, Lindsay. Violetta is survived by her husband of 62 years, Marvin; her daughter and her husband, Karen and Richard Hoskins; her granddaughter, Lindsay Hoskins; her sister, Betty Huenergardt; and numerous nieces, a nephew, and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents, Otto, Sr. and Ellen (Arnold) Oetken, and her brother Otto Oetken, Jr. A celebration of life honoring Violetta Louise Karst will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care 400 South Power Road Mesa, Arizona 85206 (480)830-4422. A memorial service honoring Vi will be held at a later date in Great Bend, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to be made in honor of Violetta to the Alzheimer's Association, by visiting www.alz.org. Please pay tribute to Violetta by visiting the family's website, at www.MariposaGardens.com.