Lester Harold Karstedt Jr.

Lester Harold Karstedt, Jr., 68, of Tempe, Arizona, (formerly of Mt. Morris, Illinois) passed away on June 12, 2024. Lester was born in Freeport, Illinois to Lester Karstedt and Sarah (Molter) Karstedt on February 8, 1956. Lester moved to Mt. Morris from Freeport at a young age, growing up in Mt. Morris and graduating from Mt. Morris High School, class of 1974. Lester moved to Tempe, Arizona after graduating high school.

Lester enjoyed the Arizona lifestyle, outdoor motor sports, riding his 3-wheeler, tubing the Salt River, camping in Mexico and the mountains, and watching or participating in demolition derbies. Les was a big drag racing and NASCAR fan. He looked forward to attending NASCAR races with his sister, Sally, when she came out to visit. Lester was an enthusiastic sports fan, always rooting for the home town Phoenix teams. He enjoyed classic cars, owning a classic Lincoln Continental for many years.

Lester’s working career began at Gila River Products and he worked there for many years with numerous friends and former hometown classmates. Lester later transitioned to a machine shop. Les was a machinist for many years, fabricating parts for government contracts.

Lester embraced and cherished his annual Fourth of July vacations back home. He loved to meet with family, friends, and old classmates to reminisce about the good old days gone by.

Lester was involved in a severe automobile accident later in life. Injuries sustained from the accident restricted his mobility, range of motion and some physical abilities but he bravely and courageously worked through his day-to-day physical challenges to remain upbeat and optimistic about life.

Lester is proceeded in death by his parents, Lester Karstedt, Sarah Karstedt Frey, and Robert Frey; brothers, Harold Karstedt, Charles Frey; sisters, Marie Mensen and Carol Karstedt.

Lester is survived by his sisters, Sally Kempthorne and Nancy (Frey) Herring, sister-in-law, Janice Karstedt, brother-in-law, Laverne Mensen, brother, Jon Frey, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as special friends, Linda Zimmerman and Wendy Steed Spratt.

A Celebration of Life Visitation Service will be held at Finch Funeral in Mt. Morris, IL on July 6, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.