Rev. Henry T. Karsten went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2021. He was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His love for Jesus led him into full-time ministry. He had a huge heart for evangelism and wanted others to know the Jesus he loved. His desire was to hear his Lord and Savior tell him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter now into the Joy of the Lord.”
On December 25, 1931, Henry T. Karsten was born to Anthony and Winifred (Dykema) Karsten. He attended Seymour Christian School of Grand Rapids, Michigan through the 9th grade. He graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1949 and worked several jobs before receiving the call to the ministry in the fall of 1950. Henry graduated from Calvin College in 1954 and from Calvin Seminary in 1958. In 1954 Henry married the love of his life, Evelyn Marie Petroelje.
Henry was ordained in Monroe Christian Reformed Church, Monroe, Washington, in October 1958. He served there 4 ½ years and then received the call to be a church planter in Akron, Ohio in 1963. He engaged the talents of young people through the S.W.l.M. (Summer Workshop In Ministries) Program which God used to help the church grow and become organized. During this time he also oversaw the church building program. In 1973, the board of Home Missions extended a call to plant a church in Jacksonville, Florida. God blessed this ministry with another successful building program and church growth. God continued to direct his future with a call to minister in Alger, Washington in 1982. Henry and Evelyn happily served this ‘Church of Love’. In 1989, he began ministry at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sun Valley, California. After some serious health issues, Henry took early retirement in 1995.
Retirement years included volunteer service for World Missions (CRC) for 18 ½ years. They lived first in Upland, California for 10 years and then moved to Visalia, California in 2005. Retirement also included traveling to five countries for World Missions, as well as visiting several other countries for their personal education.
Henry is survived by Evelyn, his wife of 66 years; daughter Mary (Arnold) Sybesma; son Paul (Julia) Karsten; daughter Ruth (Daren) DeBoer; daughter-in-law Sheri Laninga (Darryl Bolt); 13 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; sister, Winona Vander West.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Winifred Karsten; son, Mark Karsten; brother, Harvey Karsten.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Resonate Global Mission, Christian Reformed Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Karsten family.
