Obituary of Avonda L. Karstens

Avonda Lee Wilson Karstens, 78 of Moberly, passed away on August 5, 2018 at the Moberly Regional Medical Center with her husband Dennis by her side. Avonda was born in Fulton, MO on July 17, 1940. She graduated from Paris High School and attended Columbia Christian College for two years and received her Bachelor Degree in Education at the University of Missouri Columbia, in 1962. She then moved to Liberty, MO where she taught fourth grade for 3 years. She met Dennis Karstens while teaching school in Liberty, and they were married June 6, 1965. They moved to the Chicago area after marriage and she did substitute teaching in various school districts until they moved to Moberly in 1976. Avonda was very active in Central Christian Church where she served as a Deacon and served on several committees. She was the treasure of the Christian Builders Sunday School class and handled the charitable gifting projects for the class. She was also a member of Christian Women United and served many years with the Women’s Auxiliary for the Stubbins Children’s Home. Avonda enjoyed bridge, golf and bowling plus she was a fabulous cook and enjoyed the Food Channel. One of her greatest joys was traveling and creating memories with her family and grandchildren. Avonda is survived by her best friend and husband, Dennis of the home. Their son Mike and his partner Curtis of Olathe, Kansas. Daughter-in-law Sarah (Spieckermann) Griffith and husband Griff, of Lenexa, Kansas. Grandson Drew Karstens. Granddaughter Kat Karstens and fiancé Drake Robertson. Aunts Fran Wingate, of Paris, MO and Minta Wilson, of Mexico, MO. The Karstens family from Nebraska, Texas and Iowa. As well as a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Dysart and Emma Jo (Wingate) Wilson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in memoriam to the youth ministry of Central Christian Church, 201 S. Fourth St., Moberly, MO 65270. Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at the visitation which will be Friday, August 10th from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Pathway Funeral Home in Moberly. Services celebrating Avonda’s life will be held Saturday, August 11th at 10:30 A.M. at Central Christian Church in Moberly. Interment will follow that afternoon at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Paris, MO.