John Karnstadt

On Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, John L. Karnstadt passed into heaven to be with Lord and savoir, Jesus Christ with his wife Annie, the love of his life, by his bedside.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Susie Karnstadt, his father, Edward Karnstadt, Sr., his brother, Edward “Eckie” Karnstadt, and his son, Tom Sassman.

John is survived by his loving wife Annie Karn

stadt; sister, Evelyn Meyer; his wonderful children: Nancy and husband, Edward Smith, Gordon and wife, Janice Sassman, Grace and husband, Roy Jeffrey, daughter-in-law, Robin Sassman, Betty Ruth and husband, Bill Maier, and John and wife, Linda Karnstadt; nine grandchildren: Charles Powell, Curtis Smith and wife, Tammy, Randa Bishop and husband, Mike, Barret Sassman, Travis Sassman, Elaine Sue and husband, Chuck Rylander, Will and wife, Cindy Maier, Michell and husband, Robert Herrera, and Jason Karnstadt; and nine great-grandchildren: Christopher Smith, Chase Smith, Clay Smith, Haley Goerty, Catherine DeLong, Kayla Herrera, Tyler Herrera, Brian Maier, Adam Maier and William Maier.

John entered the United States Army on Oct. 29, 1941. He served in World War II, went to France, Italy and Central Europe and was also in Africa. He received service ribbon and four bronze service stars, good conduct medal and American defense service ribbon. He was also a member of the VFW Post 8925 in Pilot Knob, Austin, Texas. He always loved flying the flag on special holidays. John loved to dance; he and his wife Annie used to say that they have danced across Texas and back. He was upset to hear about Club 21 burning down. They cut many a rug there. Forty-two years ago, it cost John one dollar to get into Club 21, to find the lady that asked for him by name, which turned out to be Annie. John said that was the best dollar he ever spent.

John never met a person he didn’t like; everyone was his friend. He would meet someone and start talking to them, then say, “take care, my friend.” He loved all animals, said he never shot a bird when he was a little boy. He didn’t like killing anything. Animals were Gods creatures. Take care of them he would say. He loved playing his fiddle and playing the harmonica around parties.

He married the love of his life, Annie, on June 23, 1973. They dated for seven years before getting married, so they had 42 wonderful years together.

John went to work for Travis County Precinct Four. He worked there for about 20 years before retiring. As health failed him, he had to be put in Texan Nursing Home. His wife Annie was already there. And he wanted to be with his Annie. He was there three years. If he went to hospital he would always tell them, “I have got to go back and take care of my wife, Annie.” He always wanted her close by. Her nickname to him was “Annie Rooney.” And his “sweet angels,” as he called them, were Nancy and Janice, for all the wonderful things they did for him.

John had a long and happy life. God spared him once when he was in the Army. He had a
bad case of malaria and was pronounced dead, covered by a sheet in the morgue. A nurse came in, John sat up and said, “I’m hungry,” and the nurse took off screaming. John was fine after that.

He had a great life with many caring friends and a close loving family. John will live on in our hearts and memories and never be forgotten.

We would like to thank Texan Nursing Home and Hospice for taking so good care of him in his final days.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, at McCurdy Funeral home. Services will be held Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Church, Uhland, Texas at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Uhland Cemetery.

Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St., Lockhart, Texas 78644. Obituary and guest book online at www.mccurdyfuneralhome.com