Obituary of Carl H. Karpstein

Carl H. Karpstein Memorial service will be held Monday, January 16 at 12:30pm at the Camas Moose Lodge, 227 Lake Road, Camas, WA. for Carl H. Karpstein, 82, who passed away of complications from emphysema, on January 10, 2006. Carl was born November 2, 1923 in Hillsboro, OR. He graduated from Beaverton HS in 1941. He then served 3 years as an aerial gunner in the 2533d Army Air Force Base Unit in England during WWII where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, 1 bronze star and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He lived in Sitka, AK, 1946-1949, where he met Bernadine and they were married in 1947. In 1950, Carl moved his family to Tillamook, OR, where he worked as a radio announcer for Station KTIL. Carl moved his family back to Sitka in 1959. Carl was the Club Steward and Secretary for the Moose Lodge #1350. While there he earned the highest degree of the Moose order as a Pilgrim and was a life member. He also belonged to the American Legion Post #13 for 48 years. Carl retired from the North Slope on the Alaska Pipeline in 1986. Carl was an avid fisherman, loved hunting and was an active member of the Sitka Sportsman?s Association building cabins at various lakes around the Sitka area. After retirement Carl and Bernadine moved to Oregon to be closer to extended family. His parents, Antonia and Alex, sisters Claire, Elsie, Bertha, Theresa, Freda Mickey and brothers: Alex Karpy and Ted; preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Bernadine of 58 years, sons, Tom PJ, Doug Terri and Steve Davina, daughters, Theresa Mike and Sue John, grandchildren Heather, Krista, Keith Amy, Kori, Kallie, Melanie Brad, Linda, Kenny Ashley, Amanda, Nicholas, Joshua, Jed, Kaleb, Daniel, Morgan, and Jaimee; great grandchildren, Brieanna, Neriah, Dillon, Hailey, Alissa, Alexander, Nicholas and Devon; brothers, Rudy Betty, Albert and Fred, brothers-in-law Don McGraw and Jim Judy McGraw, sister-in-law Patti Bob Gensler and many nieces and nephews. Honorary Pallbearers are Jim McGraw, Don McGraw, Steve McGraw, Robert Gensler, Ray Duff, Bonnie Greeson, Ed Coates, and Bud Hite. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carl?s name can be sent to the Camas Moose Lodge, 227 Lake Road, Camas, WA 98607. Private cremation was held at Columbia River Crematory with Straub's Funeral Home in Camas in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.