Vernon Lee Karsten

Vernon Lee Karsten, age 66, of Middletown Ohio, joined his wife Sandra in the glorious hereafter on November 20, 2007 at the Blue Ash Hospice of Cincinnati. A native of McBain Michigan, Vern was born on March 1, 1941 to Anne and Walter Karsten, both who preceded him in death. As a young man attending Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan, Vern met the love of his life, Sandy, and soon after became the devoted husband and father that family and friends knew him to be. Vern began his professional career as a middle school art teacher, then moved into retail management and eventually became a hotel inn keeper. These management positions took him to many cities including Lansing and Battlecreek Michigan, Dayton Ohio and Richmond Kentucky where he positively impacted the lives of those who worked with and for him. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990, Vern accepted this challenging disability with fortitude and grace. Shortly after his early retirement, his best friend and treasured wife passed away unexpectedly on July 29, 1999. Now living alone, Vern devoted much time to family, friends and his hobbies of keeping family photo albums and sewing, a hobby he shared with Sandy. Eventually he began organizing special activities and Bible trivia at the retirement complex where he was living in Richmond Kentucky. In early 2007 he moved to Middletown Ohio which was closer to two of his three daughters and again became involved in various activities at his new retirement complex. He spoke frequently of the many dear friends he made in these two places. Vern is survived by his three daughters in who he was very proud and five grandchildren who he utterly adored; Kelle (Scott) Fraser of Springboro Ohio; Allison (Jay and sons Chris and Kyle) Rose of Olathe Kansas; and Jodi (Gary and daughters Courtney, Brooklyn and Julianne) Lawson of Mason Ohio as well as two brothers, Kerwin (Eleanor) Karsten of Cadillac Michigan; Eugene (Mary) Karsten of Marion Michigan and a sister, Judy (Gordon) Ellens of Grand Rapids Michigan and their families.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 9:00 AM at WILSON-SCHRAMM-SPAULDING FUNERAL HOME, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. (at Bonita Dr.), Middletown. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Richmond Cemetery, in Richmond, Kentucky at 12:30 P.M.
Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, c/o Bethesda Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263-3597. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guestbook on the website at www. wilsonschrammspaulding.com and/or www.legacy.com/middletown.


Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044