Joshua Allen Karsten

Joshua Allen Karsten, 20, died Nov. 4 in Cortez, Colo., due to a motorcycle accident. Josh was born Feb. 28, 1988 in Anchorage to Donna Jean (Klabunde) Karsten.

The first four years of Josh’s life was in Seward, then in 1992, his family moved to Palmer. He went to Swanson and Sherrod elementary schools and was home-schooled in the middle grades. He graduated from Pathways High School in Palmer.

He worked in Colony Kitchen, BJ’s Custom Aircraft and Alaska Livestock Supply during high school. During that time, he attended Lazy Mountain Bible Church.

After graduation, Josh met up with his older brother, Jeremiah, in Cortez, Colo., and helped him finish a horseback trip to Mexico in February of 2006.

In August, 2006, Josh joined the Navy and qualified for the special forces. He was medically discharged for diabetes in October of the same year.

After being discharged, Josh spent some time with his Grandma Bette in Minnesota and drove his great-grandparents to Texas for the winter before heading back to Cortez by bus.

After a short while, Josh bought a horse and rode to Tucson, Ariz., to meet us with Dave, a Navy buddy. He spent the winter of 2006-07 working at the Lazy K Ranch in Tucson.

With warm weather, Josh headed back to Cortez to be with Jeremiah.

Joshua spend the rest of his life in Cortez. He bought a 1994 Harley Sportster in January of 2008. It was his pride and joy. He was employed by KDL Construction in Cortez.

Josh, also known as The Breeze, touched the hearts of his family, friends and everyone he met from Alaska to Mexico. He loved riding his motorcycle with the wind blowing through his hair and big smile on his face. Joshua was a genuine spirit and a fine young man.

Joshua is survived by his father, John Karsten of Cannon Falls, Minn.,; his mother, Donna Karsten of Palmer; his brother, Jeremiah and wife Joetta Karsten of Cortez, Colo.; and other relatives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and Arizona.

A memorial was held Nov. 9.

Arrangements were made by Ertel’s Funeral Home in Cortez, Colo.