Karsten George Verke

Karsten George Verke, 99, of Bemidji, was welcomed into Heaven on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Olson Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji. Visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2025 at Olson Schwartz Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Karsten was born June 4, 1926, in Northwood, Iowa, to Emil and Martha (Bendickson) Verke. The family later moved to Mayville, North Dakota, and then to Bemidji in 1938, where they farmed on Balsam Road. At the age of 18, while home on leave from military service during World War II, Karsten married the love of his life, Joyce Elaine Day, on February 22, 1945. Their union spanned over six decades and was filled with deep devotion and shared adventures.

From a young age, Karsten showed a remarkable work ethic. He fibbed about his age to earn a job as a bellhop at the Markham Hotel in downtown Bemidji and later drove delivery routes for Nash Finch groceries—including the long haul to International Falls. During World War II, Karsten served proudly in the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division as part of the parachute infantry. He made seven combat jumps, including in the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, and New Guinea. His service was a source of pride throughout his life. After returning from the war, he worked at McCarthy’s Gas Station in Bemidji, where he formed a lifelong friendship with the owner Mac and his son, Pat. He and Joyce later moved to Pontiac, Michigan, where he worked for seven years on the assembly line at Pontiac Motors. Eventually, they returned to Bemidji, where Karsten began what became a beloved career as a milkman for Oak Grove Dairy. For 37 years, he delivered milk to hundreds of homes throughout the Bemidji area, becoming a friendly and familiar face to so many. Even long after his retirement at age 62, people would still recognize him as "their milkman." But retirement didn’t slow Karsten down. A week later, he began a second career driving escort (flag) vehicles for mobile home deliveries, working for Dave Walters Mobile Homes. He finally retired again—this time at the age of 87. To this day, he could recall which homes he helped deliver and set up throughout the region. Karsten and Joyce raised their family on the shores of Big Turtle Lake. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish for walleye and hunt deer, and he had a special place in his heart for card games, especially Skip-Bo and Solitaire. A fan of baseball and basketball, he rarely missed a game on TV—regardless of the teams playing. Known for his ever-present smile, boundless energy, and zest for life, Karsten earned the affectionate nickname “The Ever-Ready Bunny.” He could often be found mowing the lawn, trimming trees, or tackling new projects well into his 90s. Karsten was honored to spend the final eight months of his life at the Bemidji Veterans Home, where he proudly held the title of the oldest resident. It brought him great joy and pride to be part of a community that honored his service.

He is survived by his sons Bruce (Viv) Verke of Grand Rapids, Jim (Brenda) Verke of Bemidji, and Bryan Verke of Bemidji; daughters Karen Hightshoe of Bemidji, Brenda (Nelson) Bonilla of Worthington, Minn., Nadine (Terry) Winegard of Evergreen, Colo., and Andrea Verke of Rifle, Colo.; brother Edward Verke of Bemidji; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce; his parents, Emil and Martha Verke; infant son, Kim Verke; sister, Evelyn North; brother, Morris “Bud” Verke; and grandson, Eric Verke.

In his final years and throughout his life, Karsten often expressed his gratitude in Norwegian: "Mange tusen takk" – many thousand thanks. His family and friends now say the same to him—for the memories, the laughter, the legacy, and the love.

Memorials may be directed to the Bemidji Veterans Home in honor of Karsten’s military service and the care he received.

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