Joseph J. Karsky, 68 of Paynesville, died January 17, 2025 at his home in Paynesville. A celebration of his life is being planned for in the spring. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville.
Joseph James Karsky was born on May 16, 1956 in Graceville, MN the son of Richard and Mildred (Chalupnik) Karsky. As a child his family moved to Rapid City, SD. Joe married Julie Nieters on September 4, 1978 in Albany, MN. They made their home in Rapid City until moving to Minnesota the following year. They lived throughout Stearns County in their early years of marriage before settling in Freeport where they lived for 25 years and raised their 6 children. Joe enjoyed working the night shift and ran a commercial cleaning service for 10 years. He then held down a variety of jobs ranging from custodial work and carpet cleaning, before getting hired on by Fingerhut in St. Cloud, as a bill collector. He then went to work for Bayer Built in Belgrade for 9 years doing night maintenance. The couple moved to Paynesville to enjoy retirement. Joe was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Joe was an avid reader of history growing up. As he got older his interests turned to meeting veterans and hearing their stories of their time spent in the military first hand. This inspired him to expand his talent of pyrography (woodburning) in a way which honored those who have served. His beautiful pieces of veteran art are spread throughout the United States and Israel.
Joe is survived by his wife Julie; children, April (Rabbie), Joe Jr., Barbara (James), Elisabeth (Matt), Ruth (Marcus) and Brenda (Maggie); grandchildren, Oliver and Sydney (April), Lily and Tommy (Joe Jr.), Julie and Emma (Barbara) Joseph and Wednesday (Elisabeth), Marcus, Savannah and Louis (Ruth) and Phineas and Stella (Brenda); 3 brothers and 4 sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles and sister, Susan.
