Barbara Anne Karsting

Barbara Anne Karsting

August 23, 2025

Wichita , Kansas - Barbara Anne Karsting, 83, passed away August 23, 2025.

Barbara was born in Barstow, California to James Fickle and Mildred "Millie" (Thornburg) McCoy on September 7, 1942. She was later adopted by Jack Adams. Her parents predeceased her along with brother, Charles "Chuck" Adams and son-in-law, Jake Walker.

Surviving siblings, step-brothers, Tony Adams and Mike Adams, are of Colorado.

She is survived by daughter Julie (Lyle) Oetting of Wichita, Kansas; daughter Pam Walker of the home in Wichita, Kansas; granddaughter Tamara "Tammy" (Joshua) Kizer of Elk City, Oklahoma; grandson Casey (Stephanie) Walker of Lake Lotowana, Missouri; step-granddaughter Holly (Michael) Weber of Wichita, Kansas; step-grandson Austin (Amy) Oetting of Waukee, Iowa; and eleven great grandchildren Horizon, Charles, Sterling, Cyrus, Abel, Zippora, Eli, Ezra, Ellie, Ruth and Esther.

Barbara attended Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita, Kansas before graduating from McPherson High School in McPherson, Kansas. Many years later she attended college at Fort Hays State University. Despite being a single mother of two she managed to graduate Magna Cum Laude, a significant achievement born of tenacity and sacrifice. She credited this as an opportunity to become self-reliant and to prosper. Barbara then went on to work for Nevada Bell in Reno, Nevada. She held numerous roles in Accounting culminating as a Tax Specialist prior to retirement in 1998.

Well suited to her affection for history and research, Barbara shared an interest in antiques. She and the family were antique dealers in the Reno area for many years. Their businesses operated out of the Antique Collective and All R Yesterdays.

A move "home" brought her back to Kansas where she settled in Wichita in order to be close to family. Barbara loved being supportive of her grandchildren and was consistently engaged in their activities. She encouraged their education. She contributed to their experiences. She participated by volunteering. She was present and engaged. And she relished every bit of it.

No services will be held. The family, however, encourages those who wish to remember Barbara to consider a donation to the any of the following: Fort Hays State University, Northern Nevada Independent Living Center (earmark for services to the blind), The

Carter Foundation, or The American Cancer Society.