KARSJENS, Harold 1933-2016

KARSJENS, WILDEBOER, ABBAS, EEKHOFF, HOVERSTEN, BERENDS, BROUWER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/7/2016 at 12:52:59

Harold “Bud” Karsjens, age 82, of Aplington died January 14, 2016, at the Cedar Valley Hospice House, after complications from a stroke. Funeral services were January 18 at the First Reformed Church of Aplington with the burial to happen at a later date. Military rights were at the church, conducted by Aplington Amvets Post 102. Visitation was January 17 at the First Reformed Church of Aplington. Memorials to the family for later designation.

Harold was born the son of Menno and Grace Wildeboer Karsjens on April 26, 1933, in rural Parkersburg. He received his schooling at a country school through eighth grade. Bud served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. He was stationed in Korea. After his service he farmed in rural Aplington and rural Parkersburg. In addition to farming, he worked various ag-related jobs at ARCO in Ackley, Butler-Grundy FS in Aplington, Farmech in Parkersburg, and the Farmer’s Co-op/Hardware Store in New Hartford, among others.

On December 7, 1954, Bud was united in marriage with Geraldine “Gid” Abbas at the Christian Reformed Church, rural Ackley. To this union, they were blessed with six children. They made their home in rural Ackley Gid passed away December 7, 1993. On May 26, 1995, Bud married Mary Ann Eekhoff Hoversten. They made their home in Aplington. Mary Ann passed away July 4, 2000. On February 9, 2002, Bud married Karen Berends Brouwer residing at their current home in Aplington.

Bud was a member of the Ackley Christian Reformed Church where he served as both deacon and elder. He was also a member of the First Reformed Church of Aplington where he served as an elder. He was a member of the Aplington Amvets. Bud enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his morning coffee group at the local auto repair shop, attending Christian music concerts, and dining out.

He was preceded in death by his former spouses; his parents; his son, David; four brothers; and two sisters.

Bud is survived by his wife Karen; daughter Denise (Dale) Akkerman, son Daniel (Martha) Karsjens, son Doug (Kerri) Karsjens, son Dean Karsjens, and daughter Dawn (Chris) Shepard; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one-stepdaughter, Wanda (Kevin) Van Mill; four step-sons Rick Brouwer, Jeff (Jenny) Brouwer, Matt (Crissa Kellum) Brouwer and Chad (Kala) Hoversten; twelve step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Marjorie Karsjens, Marie Anderson, Thelma Peterson; and many nieces and nephews.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 21 January 2016, pg 3