Betty Bascom Karst, born in Sterling, Colorado, September 19, 1916, daughter of D. C. and Alma Thompson Bascom. Betty passed away on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at 92 years of age at Westhills Health Care. Graduate of Fort Collins High School, and in 1939 of Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO. Married June 1, 1939, to Kermit G. Karst. Survived by: son, Col. Kim Karst, Ret., and his wife, Ellen, of Springfield, VA; daughter, Karen Karst Frazzini, and her husband, Don, of San Mateo, CA; brother, Robert M. Bascom, and his wife, Jane, of San Jose, CA; grandchildren, Sherri Karst Eret, and her husband Lt. Col. Tony Eret, Ret., of Colorado Springs, CO, Robin Karst, of Springfield, VA, and Christine Karst of Ft. Collins, CO; and great grandchildren, Kevin, Travis, and Allison Eret. Her husband, Kermit, preceded her in death in 1999. They were married over 60 years. Following her early married years on ranches in Colorado and Oregon, Mrs. Karst then spent several years in the field of education. She was a substitute teacher, a secretary to the Dean of Men and Women, and in charge of Student Employment at Morningside College, Sioux City, IA. In 1961 on their return to Colorado, Mrs. Karst was employed by the Jefferson County School District, Lakewood, CO, as secretary to the Supervisor of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services until her husband was transferred to Rapid City, SD, in the mid 1970’s. Mrs. Karst had been active over the years, in the PTA, as a Cub Scout Den Mother, and as a Blue Bird Leader. She was always involved in church work wherever she lived. She served on the building committees of the Methodist Church in Western Springs, IL, and of the Grace Methodist Church in Sioux City, IA. Mrs. Karst held memberships and offices in the Methodist Women’s circles, Garden Club, and the Home Economics Club in Sioux City, IA. She was also a member of the American Assoc. of University Women, Kappa Delta Sorority, Mortar Board, a life member of the National Assoc. of Educational Secretaries, the Oregon Order of the Eastern Star, and a charter member of the American Hereford Assoc. Auxiliary. Mrs. Karst was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rapid City, and served as the secretary of the Inter Church Council. She also served as Circle Chairperson at both her church and at the Westhills Village Circle. She was deeply loved and will profoundly be missed by all whose lives she touched and brightened.