Gilbert L. Karst

Gilbert L. Karst, age 84, passed away December 8, 2008.

He was born June 24, 1924, to August and Oakie Welty Karst at Hill City, Kan., the fifth of seven children. He was educated and resided in Hill City until entering the Army in 1943. During his four years in the Infantry, he served in Arkansas, Texas and Germany. He received an honorable discharge February 16, 1947, with the rank of Technical Sergeant.

On June 10, 1950, he was married to Viola Shavlik in Denver. To this union, four children were born in Idaho.

He attended the University of Denver and graduated with a degree in Accounting in March 1951. In 1951, he and Vi moved to Idaho Falls, where he practiced as a Certified Public Accountant, retiring in 1986 as a partner in Galusha, Higgins & Galusha. He was a member of the Idaho Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

During his business career, he found time to engage in civic duties, serving 15 years on the Board of Directors of Sacred Heart Hospital, Community Hospital and Consolidated Hospitals. He was elected to the Idaho Falls City Council in 1971 and served six years. While on the Council, he was elected as Vice President of the Idaho Association of Cities organization. After retirement, Gil was one of the founding members of the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), which furnishes business advice to those starting new businesses, and served 15 years.

He enjoyed the activities and fellowship of the Rotary Club for over 50 years and served on its Board of Directors in 1969. He also served on the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army for 15 years. When the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Commission was formed, he was appointed as a member and served as Treasurer for over 45 years.

He was a life member of the American Legion and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was inducted into the 40 et 8 honorary society of the Legion in 1957. As Finance Chairman, he served on the War Bonnet Round-Up Committee. Gil served as "drill sergeant" for the American Legion Memorial Day services for 25 years and later for 15 years with the Bonneville County Veterans Team, providing military rites for veterans' funerals. All totaled, Gil spent over 40 years in service to America's veterans.

Outdoor activities were quality time for him. He especially loved stream fishing and bird hunting with his sons and his special friends. The fishing camp in Mackay was the center of summer activities with family and his old fishing buddies for over 40 years. He really enjoyed several salmon fishing trips to Alaska with his three sons.

His wife, Viola, passed away January 6, 1996, culminating 45 years of a happy marriage. He is survived by his children, Kathryn Byron of Boise, Gary of Las Vegas, and Kurt (Nicki) and Craig of Idaho Falls; four grandchildren, Patrick and Michael Byron, and Layla and Lizabeth Karst; two great-grandchildren, Tyson and Maria Byron; and his sisters, Jo-Anne Hart of Elk City, Okla., and Nina Lea Karst of Denver. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2008, at Buck Miller Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites under the direction of the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be given to the Bonneville County Veterans Team and may be sent to the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.buckmillerhann.com.

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