Obituary of Duane Karsting

Duane J. "Mike" Karsting May 13, 1935 – December 4, 2016 Duane J. "Mike" Karsting, 81, passed away peacefully on December 4th at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in the presence of the family he cherished. He was born in Hastings, Nebraska on May 13, 1935. He attended St. Cecilia Catholic School and graduated from high school in Kearney, Nebraska. He always said that he enjoyed his rural upbringing. He joined the United States Navy in 1955, serving as an engineman on a Destroyer Escort during the Korean Conflict. His last assignment sent him to Adak, Alaska before receiving an honorable discharge. He returned to Hastings, Nebraska and went to work for Dutton/Lainson as a hardware salesman. He soon met Mary Ellen Herbek and they were married on September 12, 1959. In 1966, they moved their family to California. He found work with McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California, becoming a floor supervisor. He also earned a college degree, in addition to becoming a General Contractor. He and Mary Ellen moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1999. They purchased a remarkable home and enjoyed the Lake Havasu lifestyle. He especially enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, usually with his BBQ cooking up good eats. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and had also been a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; sons, Mike (Victoria), Ron (Kim), and Doug (Tammy); daughters, Cheri (Victor) and Kathy (Glen); sister, Kay Moore, of Hastings, Nebraska; brother Pat (Mary), of Chino, California; nephew, Michael (Judy); twenty-two grand children and eighteen great-grand children. A viewing is scheduled for December 8th at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home from 12:00pm-3:00pm. On December 9th, Rosary will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church at 1:00pm with funeral mass at 1:30pm. A reception will follow the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to River Valley Hospice or Our Lady of the Lake Community Soup Kitchen. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the Karsting family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.