The Celebration of Life Service for Loretta E. Karsten will be at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel in Plainview, MN with Bob Bardwell officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester at a later date.

Mrs. Karsten, 89, of Plainview, MN died Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Golden Living Center East in Rochester surrounded by her loving family after a short battle with Colon Cancer.

Loretta Etheleen Pederson was born April 26, 1924 in Salem Township, Olmsted County, MN to Morris and Anna (Haugen) Pederson. She grew up and attended Salem Township Country School. On March 6, 1944 she married Gordon Karsten in Fort Walton, FL; he died in 1982.

Loretta was employed in Rochester working as a clerk in retail at the different department stores. Over the years she was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary and served as a former president to the Eyota #551, Plainview #179, and Olmsted County Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending her time reading, gardening, sewing, and crocheting. Most of all Loretta enjoyed spending her time with family going on camping trips, having family gatherings, and visiting with her friends.

Loretta is survived by two daughters, Linda Smith of Buckeye, AZ and Judith Ann (Gary) Kettner of Rochester, and one son, Morris (Lou Ann) Karsten of Zumbro Falls, MN; six grandchildren: Patty Smith and special friend John Sperlingus, Greg (Tonia) Smith, Jeffrey Kettner, Elizabeth Karsten (Matt Morrisey), Sarah (Raliegh) Mehrkens and Julie (Jess) Maki; 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and one sister, Mildred Hanson of Chatfield, MN; also survived by special friends, Cindy and John Hartert of Plainview. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, one son-in-law, Kenny Smith, one grandson, Billy Kettner, one great grandson, Lane Mehrkens.

Friends and family may visit from 12 noon to 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home on Saturday, December 14, 2013. Family prefers memorials to "Kenny Smith Events for Cancer" c/o Patty Smith 800 North Prairie Street, Lake City, MN 55041.