Clayton E. Karst, 95, died February 26, 2021, at Country Place Senior Living, Hoisington, Kansas. He was born March 9, 1925, in Galatia, Kansas, the son of Edd and Charlotte (Dumler) Karst. Clayton was a 1943 graduate of Hoisington High School. A WWII veteran, Clayton served in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal, and was stationed in Hawaii from 1943 to 1946.
Clayton worked for the family business, Karst Motor Company for 16 years and later as a counterman for Big A Auto Parts retiring in 1987. He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where he served on the council and helped in the maintance of the church in many aspects. He was a former commander of the Hoisington American Legion Post #286 and a lifetime member of the Russell V.F.W. #6240, participating in the honor guard for many years.
On June 2, 1946, he married Hilda E. Herbel in Hoisington. She preceded him in death on July 19, 1993. He then married Helen E. Miller on September 28, 1996, in Hoisington. She preceded him in death on December 21, 2009.
He is survived by two daughters; Janice Terry and husband David of Overland Park, and Susan LaFaver of Greeley, Colorado; sister, Pauline Ray of Junction City; and two grandchildren, Amy La Faver of Venice, Florida and Angela Walts of Odessa, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wives; brother, Paul Karst, and a sister, Isabelle Dumler.
Visitation will be Sunday 1 to 6 p.m., and Monday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with Reverend Wayne Baldyga presiding. Burial will follow at Hoisington Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.