Obituaries

Lance Preston Karstetter

12/8/1978 - 12/23/2021

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Obituary For Lance Preston Karstetter

Lance Preston Karstetter December 8, 1978 - December 23, 2021 With profound sadness and endless love, we mourn the unexpected passing of Lance Preston Karstetter, 43, of Point Arena, CA, formerly of Altoona, PA.

Born on December 8, 1978, in Altoona, PA., the son of Lawrence and Roseann (Minielli) Karstetter. He graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1997. He has lived in Point Arena, CA, for the last 11 years operating his own business, LanceScaping Home Services. He was a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Redwood Coast Fire Department and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Lance was full of life, and his love for his family and friends was evident. He was kind, compassionate, intelligent, resilient, cheerful, funny, and spirited. Lance was generous of his time and always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Lance was incredibly creative and expressed himself beautifully through sketches and poetry, singing and bringing laughter to those around him. His zest for life was contagious, and he never lost his sense of a child’s playfulness. He was the life of our family events and especially enjoyed our annual beach trips to North Carolina. Lance loved and felt most at peace at the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the mountains of PA.

Lance is survived by his parents, Roseann and Larry Karstetter, sisters Jodee Karstetter of Altoona, Tracy (Karstetter) Kiras, and brother-in-law Scott Kiras, of Silver Spring, MD; nieces and nephews, Sydney Lee (Jodee), Matthew, Addyson, and Ethan (Tracy). He also left behind countless relatives and friends. We truly will be missing Lance, and we believe his spirit is soaring freely.

Friends will be received from 11:00 am –1:00 pm to honor our son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Stevens Mortuary, Inc, 1420 Eighth Ave., Altoona, Pa. 16602, where a funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm in the Stevens Memorial Chapel with Fr. Frank Scornaienchi.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Lance’s memory to your favorite charity or to the Poetry Society of America (https://poetrysociety.org), or the American Thyroid Association (https://www.thyroid.org/).

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.

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Condolences

  • 03/12/2022

    Tarah L Smith

    When I first saw the small obituary in the newspaper, I called to find out when the funeral was. They hadn't scheduled it yet, but told me there would be a longer obituary in a future paper with the details. I looked everyday, and never saw it. Lance, I wanted to be there, I just didn't want to bother the funeral home with continuous calls. Lance and I bonded over a shared love of the Grateful Dead, hemp jewelry, and the finer details of tie-dye. When I picture him in my mind's eye, he is always smiling. Not just any smile, but an enormous grin. In fact, I don't even have a single memory of him in a bad mood. He didn't have a mean bone in his body, and I feel it hurt him a great deal if he even thought he offended someone. I really enjoyed our long walks through Altoona, just sitting on a friend's stoop, or hanging out listening to music sometimes dancing wildly to a coveted bootleg. I'm filled with sadness when I think of you passing away so young, with so much left to offer the world, especially your kindness. I will miss you and remember you with a smile on my face, because that's how I think you'd want to be remembered. Many condolences to your many family and friends. With Love and peace- Tarah L Smith

  • 02/12/2022

    Cathie Massaro

    Lance had a bright, beautiful spirit, and his enthusiasm was infectious. My family will always remember him fondly, and I'm sure he will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. May you find comfort in your favorite memories of Lance. ❤

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