Nellie Karsten

Nellie Janet Karsten, age 95, of Baxter, passed away at Diamond Willow Assisted Living, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, she passed quietly in her sleep. She was an amazing woman and a wonderful Mom. Born and raised in west Brainerd to Arthur and Maude Hagberg, Nell was tormented by five brothers, who wouldn't let tag along and do boy things and used her baby buggy as a dump truck. They all beat her to heaven, and she was the last of her generation. She moved to Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from Denfeld High School. Nell was sliding the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and was determined to join the service as her three older brothers had. Her family then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she met a handsome young man, Herb Karsten from Brooklyn, NY who was serving in the Air Force. She soon got her wish and shipped out right after her 20th birthday. Nellie went on to train the troops at Creighton College and the Hunter College in New York City. She married my dad in New York and after the war they both went to college in Lincoln, Nebraska on the GI bill. They moved to Minneapolis, to be teachers and started a family. Chris, Bill and Kay soon arrived and had a great childhood slopping in Twin Lake, hiking, hosting amazing family picnics boating and camping. Herb and Nell stayed in Minneapolis until Herb retired. They then moved to Brainerd, and for a few years owned and operated a gift store downtown. Herb passed away and Nell decided to follow a dream and buy a resort. She remained healthy in her older years but, her memories slipped away over last few years. Nell was an amazing lady who always had a smart-ass comment and always wanted to get her way. Her final wish was be cremated to have no reviewal and preferably no funeral service. I had other plans in regards to her funeral arrangements. Of course, in the end she got her wish. Social distancing and corona virus ruined my big funeral plans. Chris and Bill are wintering in Arizona and can't travel. She is home with her folks, brothers and my Dad and she is whole again. I am guessing they are having one hell of a party. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Christian (Kathy) Karsten of Chanhassen, William (Cathy) Karsten of LaPorte, and Kay (Mark) Tabor of Pillager; grandchildren: Anna, Joshua, Trisha (Tarek) St Michaels, Tony (Tarra) Maass , Ryan ( Minkyung Yoo) Karsten, Rosie, Michelle, Lacey and Andrew; great grandchildren: Logan, Ally, Ryan, Jack, Emma, Brice, Gabi, Bailey, Branden, Colten and Eva. Memorial service for Nellie will be private and Internment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Caring for Nellie and her family: Halvorson Taylor Funeral Home www.halvorsontaylor.com