October 30, 2024 – West Bend, WI – Kenneth “Stairs” H. Karstedt Jr., 69, of West Bend passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at his home with Vicki by his side.
He was born on February 13, 1955, to the late Kenneth Sr. and Virginia (nee Neubert) in West Bend. Ken was a quadriplegic for all his adult life, but his paralysis didn’t keep him down, and he lifted up others with his humor, laughter and love. Ken graduated with an associate degree as a computer programmer and worked for two different insurance companies. He had a wonderful talent of drawing beautiful pictures, sketching portraits, landscapes and still life with a pencil in his mouth. He loved to watch the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. He loved sitting outside in the sun, going on nature walks and adventures like skydiving and whitewater rafting. He loved music, concerts and festivals, and would often sit on the sidelines rooting for his many nieces and nephews as they participated in sports and plays. Ken loved to talk politics.
Those Ken leaves behind to cherish his memory include fiancé Vicki Pauly, three brothers and six sisters, Kathleen (David) Aragon, Kristine (Paul) Hauser, Kevin (Katherine) Karstedt, Karen (Chuck) O’Meara, Kip (Natalie) Karstedt, Mary (Tim) Galante, Louise (Tim) Kissel, Mark (Marta) Karstedt, and Meg Michaelson. He had 32 nieces and nephews, 37 grandnieces and grandnephews, and 2 great-grandnieces and nephews plus one on the way. Ken had many lifelong friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Patricia and grandparents.
Thank you to many kind and generous caregivers.
VISITATION: Ken’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 138 N. 8th St., West Bend.
SERVICE: A Memorial Mass will follow the visitation at the church at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may go to:
Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, 925 N Silverbrook Dr. West Bend, WI 53090
Courage Kenny Rehab Institute/ TRP, 3915 Golden Valley Rd. Golden Vally, MN 55422.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Ken’s arrangements. Additional information and Tribute Wall may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.
