Peter Kersten

Peter Kersten
February 5, 2021
Goodrich, Texas - Peter Andrew 'Pete' Kersten passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on February 5, 2021. He was born on January 11, 1936, in Appleton, Wisconsin to Margaret (Henriksen) and Irving Wilhelm Kersten. He received a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages from the University of Kansas. Following his studies, he worked as a professor of Russian at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He married Linda (Edwards) in Lawson, MO in 1975. Later in life, he worked as the property manager for the Mid-Continent Council of the Girl Scouts of America, from which he retired in 2003.
Throughout his life, Pete was a professional banjo player and performed across the country. He retired from the locally loved New Red Onion Jazz Babies in 2020, of which he was a member for nearly 40 years. He will be remembered by many for his rendition of 'Midnight in Moscow' which he sang in fluent Russian. Kansas City enjoyed Pete and his tenor four-string banjo throughout town: at Kauffman Stadium, Worlds of Fun, Crown Center, Union Station, regional theater, various jazz clubs, and retirement homes over the years.
His love of performing music was only matched by his love for his family. He was a cherished father of three daughters, and husband for 45 years. Others in his life will remember him as a wonderful public speaker, storyteller, and purveyor of indecorous jokes, often long-winded but with an expertly executed punchline. Peter was also quick to help a friend or stranger on any occasion, no matter the inconvenience. He eagerly aided the community as a Russian interpreter whenever called upon and shared the language with special presentations for many classrooms in the Shawnee Mission School district.
Pete is survived by his wife Linda of Goodrich, TX; daughters: Lisa Shreven (Jon) of Madison WI, Margaret Randall (Brett) of Houston, TX, and Amy Kersten of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren: Jonathan Peter and Stella Ann Randall; sister-in-law Karen Kersten of DePere, WI; brothers-in-law: Robert (Patricia), Jeff, and Grant Edwards of MO; many nieces, nephews, and his beloved hound Pixie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Irving, brother Fred, and nephew Stephen Julius.