Reverend Karsten E.O. Baalson, age 92, went to be with the Lord November 26, 2009, Thanksgiving Day.

Karsten was born in Silvana, WA on December. 31, 1916 to his parents Amanda and Pastor Herman E. Baalson. Karsten was born a PK, preacher’s kid, living the first eight years of his life in Silvana, WA, on an island on the Stillaguamish River. Karsten had fond memories of attending the Scandinavian Church in Silvana, The Little White Church on the Hill, where his father was pastor. Enjoying summers with family at their cottage on Juniper Beach, Camano Island.

In 1924 Karsten’s family moved to Sunberg, Minnesota. Karsten graduated from Kerkhoven High School. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating with a B.A. majoring in History, minors in Greek and English and letters in track, beating nationally known athlete Theo Gibs in the 220. He attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Seminary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

During the year of his internship at Alexander, North Dakota, Karsten met the love of his life, Bernell Borstad, a high school music teacher. They married in 1943 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tioga, North Dakota and were married 66 years.

Karsten proudly served congregations of Milton and Osnabrook, North Dakota, Wilmont, South Dakota and Our Saviors, Prineville, Oregon. After retiring in 1979, Karsten and Bernell moved to Mount Vernon to be near his brother, Herman A. Baalson and family. Summers were spent on the Borstad farm in Tioga with Bernell’s brother and sisters families.

Karsten loved the outdoors, cross-country skiing, gardening, fishing, art, photography and watching his favorite baseball team, the Seattle Mariners. His holidays always included his favorite food, Lutefisk and Lefse.

Karsten was an avid artist, he enjoyed painting canvas oil and pastels and attending art shows with Bernell. He enjoyed spending endless hours with his longtime friend and artist Fred Zeretzke at the beach or in the mountains painting the beautiful scenery. He believed a picture is worth a thousand words. Karsten also wrote a book, Karsten’s Kronikles, full of humorus stories and history.

Karsten and Bernell were active in two Lutheran churches, one in Arlington, Atonement Free Lutheran and Lord of life Free Lutheran Church, where they were founding members.

Reverend Baalson and Bernell led a full and glorious life together, travelling the United States, touring Norway and several European countries as well as the Holy land and historical sites.

Karsten’s love for the Lord, family and friends, (he never new a stranger) and his love and devotion to his wife Bernell were endless. He will be dearly missed.

Preceded in death by his parents, Pastor Herman E. and Amanda Baalson; wife Bernell Baalson; brother and sister-in-law, Herman A. (Donna) Baalson.

Karsten is survived by those who loved him, sister-in-law, Florence (Orville) Hiepler of Fall Brook, CA; nieces and nephews, Karen (Denny) Hauck of Mount Vernon, Patti (Richard) Travis of Gig Harbor, Steve Baalson of Houston, TX, Michelle Ness of Mount Vernon, Tara (Ray) Harper and their child, Riley of Graham, WA, Corrine (Bruce) Kjelvik of Mesa, AZ, Juris (Helen) Borstad of Kalispell, MT, Dorene (Curt) McDougall of Minneapolis, MN, Ilene (Robert) Bradberry of Laguna Niguel, CA and Mark (Michelle) Hiepler of Camarillo, CA. Karsten is also survived by his closest friends, Sheri and Jerry Windsor and Beverly Lentz.

Karsten’s family would like to express a special thank you to Jerry and Sheri Windsor, Pastor Dale Lankford, Pete and Jacki Smith, Chris Kading, for their friendship to Karsten and also to his dear caregiver Krista Hynds.

Memorials may be given to Lord of Life Free Lutheran Church 1616 N. 18th Street Suite 130, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Visitation hours will held at Kern Funeral Home, Monday, December 14th 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and on Tuesday, December 15th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 4:00 PM at Kern Funeral Home, followed by a dinner reception in Kern’s social room. Burial will be next to his beloved wife Bernell in the Zion Cemetery, Tioga, North Dakota.

You may offer your condolences and sign Karsten’s online guest register book at www.kernfuneralhome.com.

Local funeral arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.