Richard F. “Dick” Karst, 78, of Shawano, passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at his home. Born on Jan. 28, 1936, in Oshkosh, he was one of 15 children born to the late Sylvester “Pat” and Lorraine C. (Gustavus) Karst.
On Aug. 5, 1962, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Baier at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Oshkosh. After earning a bachelor’s degree, Dick worked as a metallurgist at Universal Foundry in Oshkosh until 1982. In 1984 he and his family moved to the Shawano area, where he worked for ArrowCast until retiring in 2001. After retiring, Dick continued to work two days a week as a consultant for the foundry industry.
Dick was well-known for his waterfowl and songbird wood carvings. In 1986 he starting teaching carving classes and was active with Geppetto’s Wood Carvers, now known as the Wolf River Carvers. Dick also remained very active as a volunteer with the Navarino Nature Center, where he had been a board member for many years and a treasurer in its early growing years. He was a 40-year member and past officer of the American Foundry Society, a member of Lourdes Academy Booster Club, and treasurer and board member of the Universal Foundry Credit Union in Oshkosh. He was an ardent supporter of the Shawano County Humane Society and a board member of the Shawano County Arts Council. He was also a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited.
Whenever possible, Dick loved to spend time with his beloved grandchildren. He took pride in being an active part of their lives and never missed the opportunity to attend their sporting events, plays or concerts. He remained very active throughout his life and continued to enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, bird-watching, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and biking. In 2011, Dick and Mary Jane, along with their entire family, celebrated the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary at Bayfield, where they had vacationed for many years.
Dick is survived by his wife of more than 52 years, Mary Jane; his three children, Mary Ellen Karst, of Madison, Tom (Lynn) Karst, of Elm Grove, Susan (Tom) Vande Walle, of Greenville; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Vande Walle and Ryan Karst; and 12 siblings, Kathleen Lemke, Susan (Lee) Pesch, Patty (Mike) O’Brien, Terry (Janet) Karst, Roy (Patti) Karst, Bonnie (Ralph) Alphonso, Steve Karst and Mary Lou (Mark) Backus, all of Oshkosh, Karen (Gary) La Chey, of Larsen, Jacqueline (Howie) Goeden, of Ripon, Marcia (Marty) Caiblin, of Hawaii, and Bob (Sandy) Karst, of Wichita Falls, Kan.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Tom Karst; and two sisters, Barbara Karst and Carol Olk.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cecil with the Rev. Luke Ferris officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Entombment will be in the Sacred Heart Mausoleum in Shawano. Memorials can be directed to the Navarino Nature Center and the Shawano County Humane Society.
Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.