Evelyn Marie Karsten (Petroelje) went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 21, 2021. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She lived a life of faith and service in all that she did. Her heart’s desire was for her life to be a testimony to God’s glory. Her life of love, prayer and devotion defined her deeply held Christian beliefs.
On May 15, 1931, Evelyn was born to Roy and Henrietta (Bos) Petroelje in Byron Center, Michigan. She was the youngest of five children and attended Christian Schools in Grand Rapids before attending and graduating from Calvin College in 1952. In 1954, Evelyn married the love of her life, Henry T. Karsten. She worked as a schoolteacher while supporting Henry through seminary.
Evelyn was the “quintessential” pastor’s wife. She typed Henry’s sermons, she played the piano, she typed the church bulletin, she prepared countless meals for church members, and she assisted Henry in his ministry at every turn. She was at Henry’s side throughout his thirty-six-year ministerial career in Monroe, Washington; Akron, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; Alger, Washington; and Sun Valley, California. She and Henry “retired” to Upland, California before moving to Visalia in 2005.
But Evelyn’s legacy is so much more. She poured herself into mothering her four children to the very best of her ability. She lived her life by putting her faith first, others second and only then, thinking about her own needs. Her children and her grandchildren knew that they were prayed for every day. She found great meaning and purpose in her life by attending to and serving the needs of others. She loved music and found solace in the great hymns of the church. Because her life with Henry caused her to be separated from family throughout most of her adult life, she was meticulous in making sure her family members were remembered with care packages throughout the year: Valentine’s Day; Easter; Halloween; Christmas and of course, birthdays. She lives on through the countless lives that she touched.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter-in-law Sheri Laninga of Fennville, MI (Darryl Bolt); daughter Mary of Visalia (Arnold Sybesma); son Paul of Grand Rapids, MI (Julia de Jonge); Ruth of Lynden, WA (Daren DeBoer); 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren. Evelyn was preceded in death by Henry, her loving husband of 66 years, just eight weeks to the day of her passing; parents Roy and Henrietta Petroelje; her son Mark Karsten; her brothers Harold and Purcell and her sisters Anne and Josephine.
Events celebrating Evelyn’s life will be held at the Visalia Christian Reformed Church, 1030 South Linwood Street, Visalia, on Saturday, July 10. The family visitation will be at the church at 10:00 am; followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am and then a light lunch. Evelyn will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI next to her son and her husband.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Resonate Global Mission Christian Reformed Church. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared www.millerchapel.com.
