Kerwin J. Karsten

Kerwin J. Karsten passed away on December 4, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife and family following a brief illness. He lived a life of devotion to family and faith, known by so many through his work as a community banker and his active involvement as a volunteer at churches, non-profits, and local service organizations. Born in 1936 to Walter and Anne Karsten, he grew up on the family farm in Vogel Center where he learned the value of family, community, and hard work. He graduated from Northern Michigan Christian School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. Kerwin was an active member of the Cadillac Christian Reformed Church where he served as a Deacon, an Elder, and Treasurer. Most recently he was a member of the Rehoboth Reformed Church. He enjoyed a rewarding career in the banking industry, working at a number of local banks leading up to a twenty-five year career at what at the time became Old Kent Bank. He retired in 1997 as Vice-President and during retirement worked to help start what is now Mercantile Bank. Kerwin was active in the community, serving as President of the Cadillac Exchange Club, Treasurer of the Cadillac Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army (Board of Directors), Friendship Family Home (Board of Directors), Missaukee County Parks (Board), and NOC Industries (Board of Directors for over 20 years). He enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, wood-working, the Detroit Tigers (and any) baseball and spending winters in Florida. He was an avid golfer who proudly scored two Hole-in-One's in his lifetime. If you played golf with Kerwin you knew you might be able to out-drive him but he never had to join you in the rough looking for his ball. Kerwin was preceded in death by his first wife Marlene Karsten, son Timothy Karsten, and brother Vernon Karsten (and wife Sandra), and step-grandson Colton Bowen. He is survived by wife Eleanor (Bode) Karsten; sons Kraig (Kim) Karsten and Randal (Elizabeth) Karsten; daughter Kim (Matt) Curtis; daughter-in-law, Penny Karsten; step-son Jeff (Becki) Koetje, and step-daughter Sheryl (Jeffery) Whitehouse. He is also survived by grandchildren: Matthew (Danielle) Karsten, Elizabeth (Clinton) Jameson, Alexander (Madhu) Karsten, Elise (Houston) Parks, Jarred Karsten, Leonard (Hannah) Lach, Jordan (Lisa) Hoekwater, Ryan (Taylor) Hoekwater, Cole (Cristina) Whitehouse, Josh (Jessica) Whitehouse, Maggie (Dustin) Ladd, and Grace Whitehouse, along with great-grandchildren, Ethan, Emma, Parker, Hudson, Louise, George, Shiva, Gavin, Tyler, Evelyn, Wyatt, Gage, Celia, Ava, Johnathon, Franklin, and Maeve; and siblings: Judy (Gordon) Ellens and Eugene “Butch” (Mary) Karsten. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Monday, December 9, 2024 at Rehoboth Reformed Church with Pastor Kathy Vana officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 7-9 PM at Peterson Funeral & Cremation Services in Cadillac. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Rehoboth Reformed Church or Love INC. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Kerwin J. Karsten

October 21, 1936 - December 4, 2024