Robert L. Karsten, 66, of Chandler, Ariz., formerly a longtime Elgin resident, retired in 1999 as an assembler at Elgin Sweeper Co., manufacturers of street-sweeping vehicles, after more than 12 years of service. Mr. Karsten was previously a dairy worker at the former Modern Dairy in Elgin for nearly 20 years until the mid-1980s. Mr. Karsten, who was born in South Elgin, died Saturday, March 11, in Chandler. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. “He was a very good worker,” said Dennis Ziegert, a supervisor at Elgin Sweeper. “He was highly respected.” His brother Roger said: “He didn’t have a lot of hobbies. All he knew was hard work. After his granddaughters were born, they were his life. He was very loyal to them.” Other survivors include his wife of nearly 45 years, Marlene; two sons, Jeff and Scott; a daughter, Julie Fedele; three sisters, Nancy Hall, Carol Searight and Mary Van Winkle; two brothers, Charles and Mark; and two granddaughters. A visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, when a service will begin, in Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., Elgin.
