Carolyn Elsie Kersten

Carolyn Elsie Kersten

September 6, 1941 – May 29, 2022

Carolyn Kersten, 80, of Lyford, Texas and more recently Georgetown, Texas passed away on May 29, 2022 in Georgetown.

She was born September 6, 1941 to Clarence and Elsie Vassberg at their home in Lyford, Texas. She was the second of three children and grew up with one brother and one sister.  Carolyn attended school in Lyford graduating in 1959.

Carolyn attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas where she met the love of her life and best friend, Graham Kersten, in September 1959.  The two were married on August 12, 1961 and resided in Houston, Texas.  On July 3, 1962 they welcomed son Graham Charles Kersten, Jr.  In 1964 they moved  back to Lyford.  August 12, 1965, they completed their family when daughter Sharon Lynn was born.  Carolyn and Graham celebrated 59 years of marriage before Graham was called to heaven in January 2020.

Once Sharon started kindergarten Carolyn went back to college graduating from Pan American University in 1973 with a degree in Elementary Education.  She taught kindergarten for 30 years at Pittman Elementary in Raymondville before retiring in 2003.  Carolyn taught piano lessons both in Houston and Lyford until she started teaching kindergarten.  She was the organist at Bethel Lutheran Church for over 50 years.

Carolyn centered her life around Jesus Christ and her family.  Of utmost importance was living her life as a Christian, wife, mother, and Nana.  There was never a shortage of love, laughter and togetherness wherever she was. She enjoyed watching her family grow with five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She found so much joy when spending time with her family.  

After retiring from teaching, Carolyn started taking art lessons and has left behind many beautiful paintings for her family to enjoy.  Carolyn was very involved in her community. In addition to being the organist, she served on Bethel Lutheran Church Council and was a Luther League sponsor.  She was a member of P.E.O. International, XI CHI PHI Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Lyford Women’s Club, and the Willacy County Art League.

Carolyn is survived by her son Charles and daughter Sharon (Randall), grandchildren Randi Hernandez Schmidt-Tophoff (Pablo), Nicholas Andrade (Danielle), Joshua Andrade, Robert Revisore, and Cody Kersten (Rylee), six great grandchildren, Frances Hernandez Schmidt-Tophoff, Avery Graham Andrade, Winn Hernandez Schmidt-Tophoff, Ethan Andrade, Wylder Kersten, and Clarence Hernandez Schmidt-Tophoff, brother Jerry Vassberg (Lew), sister Nadine (James), brother-in-law James Keys and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband Graham, her parents, Clarence and Elsie Vassberg, parents-in-law Edward and Thelma Kersten, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Alan (Juanita), Edward (Kathy), John (Wilma), Ethel, Virginia (Jinker) and spouse Forest, and nephews Alan Kersten, Bill Flippen, and Timothy Kersten.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org or American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org .