Maynard "Dusty" Karsten

Maynard "Dusty" Karsten, 68, of Ulen MN died Saturday at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River. Maynard Peter “Dusty” Karsten was born May 19, 1944 in Ada, Minnesota the son of F. Peter and Evangeline (Larsen) Karsten. He was raised in Felton and attended school there. As a young man he worked for his Uncle Bill Karsten logging in the Blackduck, Minnesota area. Later he drove truck for Industrial Builders for a few years. On July 11, 1969 Dusty was united in marriage to Eileen Bjerke in Dilworth, Minnesota and after a short time they made their home in Felton, Minnesota. Dusty drove for Cossette Trucking and later for Dittmer Trucking. In the early 1980’s Dusty and Eileen moved their family to Ulen, where they have made their home since. In the early 1990’s, he started working as a mechanic with his father at Pete’s Hi Way 9 Station in Felton. In 1991, Dusty and Eileen purchased the cafe which she operated and in 1996 they purchased the service station which he operated. They operated the businesses together until selling them in 2006. At that time he began working for his son Waylon at ECSI in Pelican Rapids, MN where he operated a plasma welder, a job he truly loved. After Waylon’s death in 2007, Dusty continued working there for a short time before becoming a mechanic for Dunham Gravel where he was employed until last fall. He also did DOT truck inspections for the past several years. Dusty loved spending time outdoors whether fishing, hunting riding motorcycles or going to his beloved “Camp Chickenbuck”. This was a place he and his family loved spending time and making lifelong memories. He was a past member and chief of the Felton Fire Department and of the Rescue Squad there. Dusty is survived by his wife, Eileen, Ulen, MN; one daughter, Melissa and her fiancée, Scott Lundgren of Frazee, MN; his daughter-in-law, Diane Karsten, Hawley, MN; two sisters, Janice Porter and Linda (Arden) Niemi all of Felton, MN; three grandchildren, Justin, Alyssa and McKenna. He will also be missed by his best friend, “Babe” his dog. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Waylon. Funeral services were held Thursday May 9th at 11:00am in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton. Visitation was Wednesday from 5 until 7 with a family service at 6:30 all in the church. Pastor Karla Mickelson officiated with Natalie Hilde and Danny Murphy providing music. Pallbearers were Lonnie Anderson, Larry Wold, Jim Gill, Dennis Keblar, Brent Hilde and Chuck Hilde. Burial was in the North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen, MN.

Maynard "Dusty" Karsten

May 19, 1944 - May 4, 2013