George Eugene Kersten

George Eugene Kersten, 90, got his final pinky promise from a pretty young nurse at AdventHealth Ottawa on September 18, 2022. Known to most as “Gene” his favorite people called him Paypaw, Crappa, and Grandpa. Upon his death, he surely raced right past Saint Peter to the loving arms of Evie; his beautiful wife and the world’s most patient woman.

George was born on November 13, 1931, at 5:19 p.m. to William and Sarah (Ball) Kersten at St. Vincent’s Maternity Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in KCK where his knuckles had a special relationship with the nuns’ rulers. His ornery spirit never wavered.

A veteran of the Korean War; George served as a paratrooper in the United States Army for which he received a bronze star medal; achieving the rank of Corporal.

After returning home, George met the one and only Evelyn Louise Stamey. They were wed October 23, 1954, in Kansas City until her passing on October 8, 2005. George loved to brag that he married an “older woman;” as Evie was 6 years his senior. Together they raised 3 daughters: Linda (Jim) Carter, Janice (Daryl) Heim, and Kelly Kersten. He missed Evie dearly and while still living at the farmhouse he would often buckle her urn into his white minivan and drive around Pomona Lake for a date.

Truly a jack of all trades; George worked in several different careers. He was an auctioneer, owned a restaurant, and even served as the Chief of Police in La Cygne, KS. His favorite though was the flea market business. An avid collector of anything he might be able to sell later, George was at his very best when he was wheelin’ and dealin’ with folks. Whether selling or buying, George could turn on the charm and usually got a helluva deal. He filled his home (and sheds, and garages, and barns) with treasures that he would let his grandchildren go through. George never grew tired of collecting and selling. Nothing put a spring in his step like the city-wide garage sale.

Preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, daughters Kelly and Linda, sisters Mary and Elizabeth “Betty,” and brother, William “Bill;” he is survived by many who will cherish his memory including his brother Donald Kersten, daughter Janice Heim, companion Deloris Vollmar, and a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of AdventHealth Ottawa (especially Dr. Atchison and Kinsy), Dr. Goodwin and her staff, Roasted Café for their biscuits and gravy (and his favorite waitress, Ginny), Father Kenneth Clem, milkshake partner, Crystal Rodriguez, his many friends at Sunflower Plaza, and the staff of Dengel & Son Mortuary.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2022, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.

Inurnment Oak Hill Cemetery, Quenemo, Kansas, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard.

The family suggests memorial contributions to VFW Post 5901 c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.