Donald 'Don' Elmer Karstedt, 86

Donald “Don” Elmer Karstedt, 86, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at his home in Post Falls, under the care of Hospice Nurse Karen, and family.

Don was born March 23, 1934, in Union, Mo., the son of Elmer Karstedt and Louise Liepke. He married the love of his life, Harriet “Judy” Stoflet at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burlington, Wis., on Dec. 20, 1958. They were married just shy of 60 years.

A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Yates Funeral Home Hayden Chapel & Gathering Center, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Pastor Kevin Shultz, of The Vine Church, will officiate. Burial and military honors are being rendered by the Department of Veteran Affairs at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake, Wash.

Don was raised in Missouri and Wisconsin. He served in the Navy during the Korean War, from 1953 to 1957, aboard the U.S.S. Floyd B. Parks (DD-884). He was honorably discharged with the following accreditation: Good Conduct, China Service, National Defense, and Ambassador for Peace, Republic of Korea.

Don's time in the Navy affected his subsequent life in many ways. It not only made it possible for him to graduate from the Milwaukee School of Engineering with a degree, but opened his mind to the opportunity of relocating his family overseas (Denmark) for three years.

Don led the development and deployment of advanced digital avionics systems for aircraft, missiles, helicopters, communications, simulators, space and research and development work, working under General Motors’ Delco and Research Laboratories, in conjunction with Rockwell International, NASA, and the military and international governments. These endeavors included the safe return of astronauts to earth in the Apollo 13 Mission, as well as many space projects in the 1960s and 1970s, including the initial development of Skylab and the Space Shuttle

After retirement in 1992, he always stayed busy; he opened businesses, enjoyed hunting, fishing and prospecting for gold, participated in clubs, served on the board of multiple organizations and helped establish a new Lutheran church in Idaho, where he served as an elder.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy; and his brothers and sisters save one, Dorothy. He is survived by his son, Don, and wife, Susie; daughter, Trisha, and husband, Robert; grandson, Jason and wife, Kimmy; granddaughter, Heather, and husband, Matthew; great-grandchildren, Dominik, Kyndelle and Leynna.

A devout Christ-follower, Don dedicated himself to the Christian way of life, guided by Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod ideals.

Well known for fostering loving and respectful relationships, he will be remembered fondly by all who had the pleasure to know him, especially his nieces and nephews and his children’s friends.

He loved sweets and if he could slip you a candy, his face would beam.

When you left his company, Don would stand outside and wave and smile until you were down the street and out of his sight.

At the request of the family, please send any contributions in memory of Don to The Vine Church, 9407 N. Government Way, Suite 1, Hayden, ID 83835, or online at www.thevineidaho.org/give-online

Don has received the promise of Christ, "Blessed are those who die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13)

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com