He was born February 13, 1911, at Winnipeg, Canada, the son of Benjamin and Mary E. Uffelman Karst.

He married Nora Viola Manke, February 18, 1931, in Barton County. She survives.

He was a retired owner of Karst Oil Company, Galatia, after 46 years and was also a farmer and car dealer.

He was a lifetime resident of Barton County and lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia. He was former president of Galatia State Bank. Mayor of Galatia for 36 years, a Galatia City Councilman, a former board member of the Hoisington Lutheran Hospital and was on the forming committee of Golden Belt Home Health.

He was preceded in death by: four brothers, Alex, Ben, Edd, and Ted Karst; five sisters, Millie Karst, Molly Clayton, Lydia Ohman, Marie Funk, and Pauline Becker.

Survivors include his wife, Nora Karst, Great Bend; two daughters, Merrily Kathleen Collins, Great Bend; and Winona Grace Thomas, Salina; four grandchildren; six step grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; 15 step great great grandchildren.

Funeral service was Saturday, May 25, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia, with Pastor Shannon Tiller officiating.

Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery, Galatia.