Obituary of Marcella E. Karsten

Marcella Elizabeth Karsten, the daughter of Michael P. and Matilda M. (Link) Leddy, was born November 25, 1922 in Watertown, South Dakota. She graduated from Watertown High School with the class of 1941. During World War II, Marcella worked for the Boeing Company in Washington State. Marcella got married, had her family, then spent the rest of her life loving and caring for them. After her children were grown, Marcella went to school to become a CNA and joined the staff at the Jasper County Care Facility in Newton. She worked there until it was closed. Marcella was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, shopping and she loved to care for her children and grandchildren and spend time with them at her lake house at Lake Okoboji. Marcella was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. Marcella died on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Park Centre in Newton. She was 94 years old. Marcella was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Christopher Karsten; a granddaughter, Nicole Karsten; a great granddaughter, Lyndsey Swihart; a great grandson, Kyle Lewis; and her siblings, Michael, Jr. “Bun” Leddy and Jerome Leddy. Those left to honor Marcella’s memory include her eight children, Karen (Larry) Light of Moline, IL, Gary (Diane) Karsten of Newton, Lyle (Cindy) Karsten of Newton, John Karsten of Newton, Tom Karsten of Newton, Mark Karsten of Newton, Sharon Karsten of Newton, Jeff (LeAnn) Karsten of Newton; her eighteen grandchildren; her twenty-nine great grandchildren; her sister, Mary Johnson of South Dakota and her many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am Monday, March 27th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 3:00 until 5:00 pm Sunday afternoon at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A public vigil service will begin at 5:00 pm. The family will also greet friends from 9:30 am until service time on Monday at the church. Memorials may be designated in Marcella’s name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.