Walter C. Karstensen

Walter C. Karstensen, Age 102, passed away in the presence of family on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at his assisted-living apartment in Crown Point Health Campus.

Walter Christ Karstensen was born on July 16, 1923, the fifth of eight children, to Chris and Lula (Unruh) Karstensen in Grant Park, IL. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John United Church of Christ in Beecher, IL. Walter attended school in Beecher until the 8th grade when his mother passed away and he needed to take care of his father who could not walk due to severe arthritis. He also assisted his sister with household chores, collecting eggs, and raising chicks.

Walter was an active member at Zion United Church of Christ in Dyer, IN for over 75 years. While there, he held the position of Treasurer, was a member of the Maintenance Committee and was the "go to" person whenever something broke, performing repairs on his own and with other church members.

At 18, Walter got his first paying job at Calumet Steel in Chicago Heights, IL where the company turned railroad car axels into rebar. After a year, he accepted a job at Buda Company in Harvey, IL for 3 years where they made tractor engines. When he left Buda Company, he accepted a job in the Construction Department at NIPSCO in East Chicago, IN. He worked for NIPSCO in a variety of positions for 34 years before retiring at 60 from the NIPSCO facility in Aetna, IN where he was supervisor over the Garage. Walter taught his sons to not be afraid to try something new.

On September 20, 1947, Walter married Marcella Piepho (Triebold). Upon marriage, they lived in one end of Marcella's parents' farmhouse for a few years. They purchased 1 acre of land from the parents building a kit-house in 1955 with the help of relatives and friends. For vacations, Walter and his family traveled around the US camping first in a tent and later in a camping trailer. He also enjoyed working on cars and other equipment, rebuilding engines and transmissions, and tackling home remodeling projects. Marcella passed away in September 1998. Walter and Marcella were married for almost 51 years.

On Valentine's Day, February 14, 2001, Walter married Bernetta Kretz, also a long-time, active member at Zion United Church of Christ, moving to her home in Crown Point, IN. They took Mayflower Tours to many parts of the US plus a pastor-lead trip to Israel. In December 2018 they moved to an independent- living apartment at Wittenburg Village in Crown Point, IN. In December 2022, after recovering from COVID and with his eyesight failing, Walter and Bernetta moved to an assisted-living apartment at Crown Point Christian Village in Crown Point, IN to accommodate their increasing healthcare needs. Walter and Bernetta were married for almost 25 years.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents Chris and Lula Karstensen, first wife Marcella Karstensen, father- in-law and mother-in-law Elmer and Minnie Piepho and seven siblings: Irvin Karstensen, Arno Karstensen, Vernon Karstensen, Raymond Karstensen, Marie Marsh, Harold Karstensen and Wayne Karstensen.

Walter is survived by his second wife Bernetta Kretz. Walter is also survived by his two sons Dennis Karstensen (Alta) and Dean Karstensen (Denise) from his first marriage; 6 grandchildren: Cynthia Messieha (Peter), Sharon Ratliff (Graham), Janine Aurich (Nickolas), Kara Woolcott (Benjamin}, Dana Niles (Danny) and Randy Karstensen (Elizabeth); 15 great-grandchildren: Noah Messieha, Sophia Messieha, Blake Aurich, Parker Aurich, Chase Aurich, Mason Aurich, Austin Aurich, Wilhelmina Woolcott, Vivian Woolcott, Evelyn Woolcott, Brayden Niles, Weston Niles, Isabella Karstensen, Madelyn Karstensen, Ryan Karstensen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Friends may greet the family on Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm at BURDAN FUNERAL HOME, 12901 Wicker Ave., Cedar Lake, IN and from 10:30 am until 11:00 am on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Zion United Church of Christ, 14804 W. 113th Ave, Dyer IN. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am at Zion UCC, Pastors Tom Norwalk and David Voll, officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Zion UCC Cemetery in Dyer.