Janet Marie Karsten

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Janet M. Karsten died at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, on Monday, August 24. She was 87. Janet was born on November 7, 1938, in Rogers City, Michigan, to Anolia and Albert Gosselin. She was the second of four children and the only girl. She was tiny (just over five feet tall and slender), and her parents and brothers were always very protective of her, even in adulthood. Janet attended St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School for first through eighth grades and later graduated from Rogers City High School, where she was an honor student. Her teachers encouraged her to study nursing or to be a nun. She had her heart set on a higher calling: being a wife and mother. But first came work. There was a cleaning job at Mel’s Meat Market, a clerical job at Stoneport Quarry, and another clerical position at the local power company. She had many friends and enjoyed a trip to New York City with one group, during which she surprised her family by phoning home from the top of the Empire State Building. Janet loved dancing and could be found at one of the local dance clubs most weekends. She also liked and was proficient in several card games, especially a local four-person, thirty-two card game called Spitzer. In the end, the man who captured Janet’s heart was neither a traveler nor a reveler (although he did play Spitzer). He was a family farmer who had become a sailor on the Great Lakes because the job paid well. Janet’s older brother, Ron, was also a sailor, and he introduced his friend Dick to Janet. Six months later, the pair were married. Janet made a home for them in the house Dick had purchased and taught him to dance. The first child arrived. Three more children followed. There were good times and challenges, including a new job for Dick and a move to a different state far from family and friends. The constants were the safe and loving home Janet provided for everyone and the love she and Dick shared with each other and their children. She was their first teacher, their best cheerleader, their finest nurse, their staunchest ally, and their most attentive listener. She was always available to help with homework, and her aptitude for algebra was legendary. When the school day had been toughest or the weather was coldest, everyone would come home to the aroma of freshly baked cookies or bread, or perhaps roast beef cooking. Her family looked forward to the Christmas season eagerly every year. Gifts were exchanged, of course, but the greatest anticipation was for the homemade candy and special treats Janet prepared, for the way she made decorating the family Christmas tree an event as grand as the White House tree-lighting ceremony, and for the way she carefully orchestrated the annual viewing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on television, complete with popcorn and soda. If Janet’s husband and children were her calling, her grandchildren were her avocation. She was a caregiver for all four grandchildren in addition to the usual overnight visits. She loved teaching them to bake, helping them to write ABC’s with sidewalk chalk, and reading to them. She took them to the park, to the grocery store, and to meet friends for coffee and doughnuts. At pickup time, she would proudly recite their accomplishments, mentioning how they had coaxed butterflies onto their hands, caught lizards, or learned to write their names. She thoughtfully crafted a scrapbook for each child and grandchild. Janet’s friends also benefitted from her homemaking skills and her special ability to make others feel welcome and loved. She often had groups of women in for bible study, for scrapbooking sessions, or just for coffee and a chat. She loved to bake, and coffee usually came with the offer of chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles. While, sadly, she outlived many friends, she did not lose friends, staying in touch with high school friends up until her death. Her children’s friends were always welcome, too, and she could make room at the table in a magical way. A life-long Catholic, Janet was a member of the Rosary Society and served a term as Parish Council President at St. John the Evangelist. Her faith was more than a religion; it was an essential part of her being. Her beliefs informed her entire approach to life. She worked diligently to pass on her faith and values to her children. Janet was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Richard C. Karsten, her parents, Anolia and Albert Gosselin, and her brothers Ronald Gosselin (Constance) and Norman Gosselin. Also predeceasing her is a sister-in-law, Margarita Gosselin (Norman), and a son-in-law, Benjamin F. Fisher IV (Julie). Janet was predeceased by her mother- and father-in-law, Eleanor and Arnold Karsten, an infant brother-in-law, Ronald Karsten, and a sister-in-law, Rose Karsten. Other Karsten family members also predeceased her: brother-in-law Ivan Karsten and his wife Jeanette, sister-in-law Betty Schaedig (Milo), and brother-in-law Leroy Karsten and his wife Marvel. Mrs. Karsten is survived by her daughter, Julie Fisher (Ben) of Oxford, and three sons, Thomas Karsten (Machelle) of Batesville, MS, John Karsten of Southaven, MS, and Robert Karsten of Pope, MS. She leaves behind four grandchildren: Ryan Karsten of Batesville, Harriet Movitz (Alex) of Broomfield, CO, Helen Fisher (Alex) of Camp Verde, AZ, and Caleb Karsten of Batesville. Also surviving Mrs. Karsten are her brother John Gosselin, Sr. (Barb) of Manistique, MI, sister-in-law Constance Gosselin (Ronald) of Jacksonville, NC, and brother-in-law Milo Schaedig (Betty) of Rogers City, MI. Many beloved nieces and nephews survive their Aunt Janet. A private family service and inurnment will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford. Memorials may be sent to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN at https://www.lebonheur.org/. The staff at Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is honored to serve the family during this challenging season of life. Condolences may be expressed online on her Tribute wall at www.colemanfuneralhomeox.com.

Janet Marie Karsten

November 7, 1938 - August 24, 2026

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