Leo A. Karst

Wamego- Leo Alexander Karst, 86, died Thursday May 24, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. Born on June 6, 1920, in Olmitz, Kansas, he was the son of Alex and Mary Elizabeth (Pope) Karst. In 1941, he married Betty Ann Schumaker in Emporia, and the couple moved to Wamego in 1947. Mr. Karst enlisted with the United States Navy and proudly his country for three years as a Chief Gunnery Officer in the South Pacific in World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Mr. Karst owned and operated Karst Soil Service for 30 years before he retired. His survivors include: his wife, Betty, of the home; his daughter, JoLane Randle-Karst and her husband John of Wamego, KS; his son, Alex L. Karst Jr. and his wife Willene, of Loveland, CO; his brothers, Melvin Karst of Hays, KS, Milton Rein of Branson, MO, and Leroy Rein of New Mexico; his sisters, Darlene Mylnar of Hoisington, KS, and Joyce Wegele of Great Bend, KS; his four grandchildren, Rodney Simmer, Kendra Simmer-Sexe, Jaren Karst, and Jaya Karst-Lewis; and five great grandchildren. Mr. Karst was preceded in death by an infant brother, a brother Ralph Karst, and a sister Beatrice. Funeral Services with Naval Honors will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday May 29th at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego with burial following at Wamego Cemetery. A visitation will be Monday evening May 28th from 7-8:30 with Mr. Karst lying in state at 2:00 p.m. A memorial has been set up in his name for The Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or the American Legion and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, Kansas, 66547.