Submitted by: Dan Rich
South Bend Tribune 12/6/2008
SOUTH BEND - Joseph Frederick Karstens, 45, of South Bend
passed away in his residence of natural causes. Joe was born on
May 28, 1963 in Niles, MI to Suzanna Marie Lee and the
late James George Karstens. He graduations from John Adams High
School and attended the Culinary Program at Ivy Tech. Employed in
the Food Service Industry Joe had been the Head Maitre d' at the
Adam's Mark Hotel in St. Louis, MO right by the Gateway Arch. He
later worked for ten years at the Emporium on the East Bank in
South Bend. Joseph was a "really good chef and love cooking
and talking about cooking...especially sauces and spices."
He is survived by his mother Suzanna M. Lee of South Bend; his
maternal grandmother Majorie Lee of Niles; two uncles: John J.
(Jannine) Lee of Niles and Frederick G. Karstens of Denver, CO;
an aunt Mary Jane (Jerry) Clifton of Sun City, FL. Besides
his father Joe was preceded in death by a brother Bill Karstens.
The family will receive friends and share memories of Joe next Thursday, December 11, 2008, at the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, 435 S. Ironwood at Jefferson. Cremation will take place. Memorial donations may be made in Joseph's memory to the American Diabetes Association.