William "Bill" Karst

Bill was born in Sisseton, South Dakota, to Vincent and Eleanor Karst. Growing up on the family farm, Bill learned the value of a hard day’s work alongside his brothers Bob and David and sister, Betty. At his tiny country school, he effortlessly claimed the top spot in his class for several straight years—mostly because he was the only student in his grade.

Toward the end of school, this is where Bill met his soulmate, Elaine. He was known for driving cars too fast and she was the homecoming queen. One night he asked to hold her hand at a party and from that moment on, he never let go. The two lovebirds married on April 11, 1964, and moved to Idaho in 1966 to be near Elaine's parents and the mountains on Karst Lane.

In the winters to come, Bill found his love for snow machining, and rediscovered his need for speed. He ruled the winter trails and stacked up a trophy collection that easily pushed past 30.

In 1975 the Karsts and their four children moved to Bellevue, where Bill and Elaine continued to establish the family business,played active roles in the Labor Day celebration and later maintained the Bellevue Cemetery. After years of service, Bill and Elaine were inducted into the Sawtooth Snowmobile Club Hall of Fame in1984.

When the time came, they hung up their shovels and headed to Arizona with their good friends Pat and Faye Barker and Roy Burr for warmer weather and beautiful sunsets. You could find Bill tinkering in the shed throughout the day, and enjoying slow nights by the crackling fire under a vast Dateland sky.

Bill was always ready for an outdoor adventure. He didn't sit still often. He loved casting a line, camping under the stars,riding four-wheelers and playing horseshoes. Yet, no destination compared to the simple joy of home—his absolute favorite place in the world was dancing in the kitchen with Ma.

We find profound comfort in knowing that Bill is now peacefully reunited with the love of his life, Elaine, after holding hands through 57 beautiful years together. He is also joyfully catching up with his parents,his brother Dave, his best companions Pat and Roy and his cherished grandson  Giovanni, who went before him.

His legacy lives on through his loving children: Don (Kelly), Dale (Linda), Dan(Cindy) and Darla (Ed). He will be deeply missed by his adored grandchildren: Tasha(Lenny), Amanda (Frank), Nikki (Andrew), Ashley (Keifer), MJ, Sebastian, Devin, Matt(Olesea) and Jessie (Ryker), as well as his precious great-grandchildren: Peyton,Klayton, Jocelyn and Jacqueline.

A graveside service will be held for Bill on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Bellevue Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Karst Residence, 112 S. Fifth St. in Bellevue.In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Bill may donate to Woodland Assisted Living, P.O. Box 547, Buhl, Idaho, 83316.