KARTEN

Holton – Hans Hubert Karten, 85, died Friday, February 17, 2006 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka.
He was born December 26, 1920 in Essen-Steele, Germany. He was the son of Wilhelm Engelbert and Maria Lucia Dux Karten. Hans married Greta Louise Lenz on February 21, 1948 in Essen-Steele, Germany. She preceded him in death in 2001. He was also preceded by a brother, Franz Karten and a sister, Marianna Mieschendahl.
Hans is survived by a son, Harold Karten and wife Mary of Perry; daughters, Coleen Kesel and her husband Mike of Topeka, and Moreen Morgan and her husband Gary of Manhattan; grandchildren, David Karten and his wife Jessica of Perry, Jared Karten and his wife Angela of Lawrence, and Cheryl Morgan of Manhattan; great-grandchildren, Samantha, Bryan, Matthew, and Natalie Karten.
Hans was born into a family of glassmakers; his grandfather, Franz Karten, and father Wilhelm all worked at Wisthoff & Co. in Essen-Steele. In 1939 Hans was drafted into the German Army, fighting on the Russian Front. Hans was held in an American POW camp, and upon returning home, went back to his craft of glass making.
After marrying Greta in 1948, the family dreamed of moving to America. That dream became a reality in 1957. Hans, Greta, and Harold made the brave move to Holton, Kansas. The Evangelical United Brethren Church in Holton, Kansas, sponsored his family to America with open arms. Hans worked day labor until he began working as an Allis Chalmers tractor mechanic in Holton. For many years, Hans could be found fixing tractors out in the field. This allowed him to fish many farm ponds with his family. Hans retired in 1986 from Essex Wire, in Pauline, Kansas.
In retirement, Hans and Greta enjoyed traveling back home to Germany many times. They were able to see more of their home land after they moved from it. They enjoyed the many bus trips with their church in Holton to many parts of the United States. Hans especially enjoyed videotaping vacations so they could relive them later. The EUM family Hans and Greta shared was important to them.
Gardening was how Hans relaxed in retirement. He grew vegetables, flowers and especially loved roses. Only when he became ill with Alzheimer's was Hans not able to garden. The kitchen table in the Karten house always had fresh cut roses in the summer.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at Mercer Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. The family will receive friends 7:00 to 8:00 Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the EUM Memorial fund for Hans and Greta Karten or Midland Hospice and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.