George Roger Karsten

Levelheaded, selfless, and hardworking as they come, George “Roger” Karsten will be remembered as a respected figure within his community and the beloved leader of his family. He was a constant source of strength, no matter the circumstances, and he exemplified what it meant to follow faithfully after the Lord he loved. Nothing brought Roger greater joy than holding his friends and family close. His generosity touched so many lives, and he was truly the kind of man who never knew a stranger. Already so missed, Roger will be forever loved by those who knew him best.

The early 1940s have gone down as an infamous chapter in history, remembered mostly for tragedy as WWII raged on. Many servicemen were called away from home, and those who remained stateside faced strict rationing and gathered around their radios, waiting for news. During such difficult years, however, there was happiness to be found in the household of George Russell and Evelyn Karsten of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they excitedly anticipated the arrival of their firstborn child. On a snowy day, January 25th of 1943, their wait came to an end at last when their son, George, was born at Blodgett Hospital.

In most ways, Roger enjoyed a typical childhood of his generation. His earliest years were spent in the family home on Wealthy Street. Roger’s father worked at a nearby label company. Though Roger was an only child, the Karsten family kept cats and dogs as pets for him to love on. He was a very energetic and active boy, and he loved playing marbles with his friends at school. Growing up, Roger learned to play the violin. He attended Eastern Orthopedic Schools close to home, then went on to graduate from Creston High School in 1961, eager to see what the future held.

As a young man, Roger went on to pursue further education at junior college, earning his associate’s degree. He spent one year at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, but he found himself unsure of what direction to go. In 1964, Roger enlisted in the United States Army’s National Guard. He would continue to serve through 1970.

Around this time, Roger took a summer job working at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, the very same place he had been born. Open heart surgery was just beginning to catch on in the area, so Roger began specializing as a cardiovascular perfusionist, running the perfusionist machine during surgeries. He quickly grew very skilled and could fix the machines whenever they stopped working. It was through this job that Roger met his future wife, Jean VanStelle. She was attending Blodgett School of Nursing, and the two first met when Jean transported a patient for a heart procedure. Jean often sat in the operating room while Roger was working, just to spend more time with him. They began dating in 1971. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives as husband and wife, Roger and Jean were married in Jean’s Wisconsin hometown in 1973. The newlyweds then enjoyed a honeymoon to a friend’s cabin in Canada.

Much to Roger’s delight, it wasn’t long before his family began to grow. He and Jean were overjoyed to welcome their four biggest blessings, their children Russ, Dave, Laurie, and Mary, into their hearts and home. Roger was a very present father to his kids, deeply involved in all of their lives. The Karstens had fond memories of camping in their pop-up camper. Over the years, they enjoyed camping at Hoffmaster State Park, Wilderness State Park, and the Christian Reformed Church Conference Grounds.

In addition to being the steadfast leader of his family, Roger also took his role as a provider very seriously. When his position at Blodgett was eliminated in 1988, Jean went to work as a nurse while helping raise their children. One day, Roger noticed that Jim’s True Value Hardware Store was for sale. He and Jean made the decision to purchase the store, and Roger eventually took the reins completely in running the business. His mechanical skills came in handy, and he truly loved interacting with the customers. Roger’s store gave him many chances to meet new friends. Each of his kids were also able to work in the store as they grew up, giving them experience with responsibility. Roger and Jean attended numerous hardware conventions, eager to learn about the new trends popping up in the industry. Even after the hardware business came to an end, Roger could look back on his career with pride after putting in so many years of hard work for those he loved.

In his spare time, Roger found ways to give back to his community. He was a frequent volunteer for a prison ministry, and he was a prayer warrior in his neighborhood. Roger nurtured his faith as a member of East Leonard Christian Reformed Church. He was an avid hiker and completed the North County Trail in several different sections. Roger and Jean loved traveling when they could. They won a trip to visit England, Scotland, and Wales, and they went on a memorable Alaskan cruise in 2019. A family man to his core, Roger was happiest when spending time with his many precious grandchildren. His family was undoubtedly his greatest treasure.

As all who knew and loved him can certainly agree, George “Roger” Karsten lived each and every moment to the very fullest. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, he took great joy in watching his family flourish, and his legacy of compassion and integrity stands as both an inspiration and a challenge to follow in his footsteps. Roger will be forever loved, cherished, and remembered.

George “Roger” Karsten, 83, of Grand Rapids Michigan, passed away on August 19, 2026 with his loving family by his side. Roger is survived by Jean Karsten, his wife of 52 years, as well as his children and grandchildren: Russ (Leslie) Karsten and their children Luke and Emily (Brad) Koetje, Dave (Julie) Karsten, and their daughters Melana, Charlee, Evelina and Violet, Laurie (Andy) Pryor and their children Isaiah and Josiah, and Mary (Chris) Caton and their children Sam and Ivy. A service to remember and honor Roger will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home Van Strien Creston Chapel, located at 1833 Plainfield Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505, starting at 11 AM. Rogers' family will greet friends starting at 9:30 AM until the start of the funeral. Family and friends are invited to enjoy a time of refreshments following the funeral on Saturday. To sign Rogers’s personal guestbook, leave a memory, or post a photo, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.