Sharon Karsten

Although her life was enriched in numerous ways, there was nothing that was more near and dear to the heart of Sharon Karsten than tending to the needs of her loved ones. She was devout in her Christian faith, and it was passing this faith on to the generations who follow her that was the greatest gift she could bestow upon them. Sharon fostered a nurturing spirit whether she was nursing an injured animal back to health, caring for her patients with dignity and compassion, or cheering on a grandchild in need of some encouragement. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as the hostilities of WWII continued to escalate. However, it became all too real when WWII landed on our doorstep with the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It was just prior to this historic day that a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was delighted to announce the birth of their new baby on June 1, 1940. Sharon Marie was the younger of two girls born to her parents, Michael Peter and Marie (Moerland) Sokol, and was raised in the family home on Grand Rapids’ northeast side, alongside her older sister, Loa. Her father worked at American Seating and after retiring from American Seating worked as the church custodian for Aberdeen Reformed Church. Her mother worked at McInerney Spring and Wire Co. During Sharon’s formative years, she established a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for nature.

Sharon and her family were members of Blessed Sacrament Church where she also attended elementary school. She went on to Catholic Central High School and worked as a soda jerk after school hours at Sweetland’s Restaurant on Plainfield Avenue and was also a Teen Advisor member at a downtown department store where she modeled the latest fashions. Later she worked as a nurse’s aide or candy striper as they were called, because of the red and white striped uniform they wore. It was while working as a candy striper that Sharon decided to pursue a career in nursing.

After graduating from high school in 1958, Sharon enrolled at Cadillac School of Nursing and two years later, she had earned her LPN license. This would prove to be a natural fit for her as she had a heart for all living things including nursing injured birds and small creatures back to health, adopting a stray dog and ensuring the care of untended neighborhood cats. With her education behind her, Sharon worked for several local doctors’ offices and a few nursing homes before settling into a position at St. Ann’s Home where she worked for over 25 years.

Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Sharon’s introduction to the man who stole her heart. His name was Wilson Karsten – Bill as he was called. Bill’s mother, Rena, had been recently hospitalized and she commented on the quality of her care and about one nurse in particular who she had grown especially fond of. When the time became appropriate for Bill to introduce this special lady in his life to his parents an introduction wasn’t really necessary as Rena and Sharon had already met for it was Sharon who was the nurse that took special care of Bill’s mother. It wasn’t long before the couple was deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Sharon and Bill were united in marriage on September 8, 1962.

The newlyweds initially lived in an apartment on Leonard and later in an apartment on Tamarack. When two young children were added to their number, they eventually purchased a home on Collins Avenue on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. As the years passed their family grew with the addition of four more children which necessitated a move to a larger home. Finding a home to fit their family and their budget was a challenge, but as Bill and Sharon have told the story, “it was God’s providence” that they found a home at 900 Courtney NW. This was the place Sharon called home for the majority of her life. Together she and Bill raised their six children into their hearts and home: Shelly, Greg, Kim, David, Nicole, and Kristin. They were members of Westend Church formerly known as Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church. Sharon was very involved with her children and loved sharing the things she enjoyed with them. With a passion for nature, she often took them on nature walks through Richmond Park or Blandford Nature Center teaching them about all things nature along the way. It wasn’t uncommon to create beautiful bouquets of leaves and feathers or collect pretty stones along these walks. Sharon also taught her children to respect different cultures and people as they often attended Indian pow wows at Riverside Park or other local cultural events. An almost daily outing for Sharon and her brood was to head to North Shore Beach on Lake Michigan during the summer months. A picnic lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced apples or watermelon, potato chips and packets of Kool-Aid prepared at the water pump were the standard fare for these outings. Sometimes a stop at TJ’s for ice cream on the way home was an unexpected surprise. There were also fun-filled family vacations to rented cottages on Big Star Lake, Hess Lake, and Hamlin Lake. A camping vacation at Holland State Park during a week of rain was the first and last camping experience for the family. Cottages were their preference and many memories were created.

Comfortable in the kitchen, her family’s favorite were the big Sunday dinners that her children and their families came back home for long after heading off on their own. Christmas was one of Sharon’s favorite times of the year, and she elegantly decorated her house for the holidays. She would be busy baking numerous batches of cookies, breads, and bars for the many people she wanted to remember during this time of year. When grandchildren arrived, Sharon wanted to spend as much time as she could with them, and she was certain to never miss a special day or birthday. Around the house she liked passing the time reading books on world history, WWII, watching movie classics and in the summer months she enjoyed gardening. Drawing and painting were also big interests of Sharon’s as well as enjoying needlepoint projects that were often given away as gifts. Crossword puzzles and word searches kept her occupied for the rare times she wasn’t busy. She enjoyed music of all genres and nurtured an appreciation of music in each of her children.

During her sunset years, Sharon was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And it was in these years that she also said goodbye to her beloved husband, Bill, after his death in July of 2007. Bill surrendered his tender care of Sharon to the Christian Rest Home, while battling cancer, two weeks prior to his death.

A Godly woman, gentle and kind, Sharon Karsten was a woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She had a zest for life that was contagious, and she had a wonderful sense of humor that could make people laugh or cheer them. Sharon’s memory will be forever cherished.

Sharon Marie Karsten, aged 74 of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and entered into eternal life on Sunday morning, June 15, 2014, surrounded by her loving children who adored her. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilson Karsten in 2007 and her sister Loa Aalderink. She is survived by her children; Michelle and Roger Kelly, her children, Ryan, David, and Lynnae VanderVliet; Greg and Kellie Karsten, and his daughter, Rachel; Kim Kochavi and Darren Pigg and daughter, Lauren Kochavi; David and Elizabeth Karsten and children, Kaitlyn, Andrew and Madelyn; Nicole and Michael Polaske; Kristin and Brent Duncan and her children, Sarah, Megan and Luke Scholten; her sister-in-law, Lorie Krikke and brother-in-law, Lee Aalderink; many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Sharon was a loving wife, mother, “Grammy”, sister, and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A special recognition of thanks goes to her dear friends, Julie, Pat and Bea.

A service to celebrate Sharon’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at 2:00 PM at Westend Christian Reformed Church, 1015 Westend Ave. NW. Entombment in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Tuesday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Contributions in her memory may be made to Christian Rest Home Foundation or Gentiva Hospice. To read more about Sharon’s life, to leave your own memory of her and to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.