Judith L Karst, 80, of Culver, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of May 9, 2025, in Ludington, Michigan.
Judith was born on September 29, 1944, in Mishawaka, Indiana. She spent the first five years of her life in Detroit, Michigan and relocated back to Mishawaka shortly after starting school. She attended school in Mishawaka and Honor Elementary School seasonally while living at her family’s resort where she spent her summers growing up.
After high school she enrolled at Indiana University as a pre-medicine major but decided that her calling was in journalism, shortly after arriving in Bloomington. Following her graduation she traveled to New York for a position with Vogue magazine, however, she decided to take a p[position with the South Bend Tribune instead. While working here she met Frederick Karst and they began dating after a social gathering at Frederick’s house, in North Liberty, Indiana. Judith was and Episcopalian and had been a member of St James Cathedral in South Bend, St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Laporte, and St Thomas Episcopal Church in Plymouth.
Judith and Frederick were married on September 20, 1969. Surviving are their four sons, George L. Karst, Michigan City; Edward F. Karst, Los Angeles; James P. Karst, New Orleans; and David G. Karst, Ludington, Mich.; three grandsons, Casey, Christopher and John Karst, New Orleans; two granddaughters, Theodora and Zoe Karst, Michigan City; and several cousins. She also had the pleasure of meeting a sister approximately 2 years ago, Christine Mitchell of Berlin, Maryland.
Judith had also been a journalist, author, and Realtor for 25 years and she also had been owner of the Culver Citizen with Frederick. Judith won numerous awards during her career as a journalist including recognition from the Associated Press and Women’s Press Club. Along with her work, Judith was also a diligent mother and loved raising her 4 children. The Karst’s purchased the Culver Citizen in 1989 and would run the paper until 1998.
Judith’s works included articles, books, and plays. She particularly had interests in animals, travel, and civil and human rights. Her publishing include works about tigers, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Leper colony on Molokai and the Village of Kalawao. She also wrote a food column while at the paper and maintained interest and cooking activities her entire life. Judith also loved animals and had a beloved black labrador retriever that had shown up at her home and Billy the Kid, a yellow lab.
Judith also loved too travel. She and Frederick traveled the world and went to New Zealand, Bora Bora, Hawaii, Alaska, and multiple trips to Europe. While growing up on the family’s resort on Deadstream Road in Honor, Michigan she had developed and interest in adventure, outdoor activities, and animals and she loved dogs. Judith would fish, boat, hike every day while living on Big Platte Lake.
Judith’s focus on life was being the best mother to her 4 boys that she could, and she loved her children and grandchildren immensely.
Judith was preceded in death by her parents and husband Frederick, who she had been married to for 52 years, in 2022.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 4-7 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.
A Requiem Mass will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. James, 117 N. Lafayette Street, South Bend, IN 46601.
Burial will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Rose Hill Cemetery, 500 N. Ravenswood, Ave. Chicago, IL 60660.
In Lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the Marshall County Humane Society, 11165 13th Road, Plymouth, IN 46563 or to the Central Mine M.E. Methodist church c/o Gary Bryant, Treasurer 319 Seventh Street, Eagle Harbor, MI 49950.
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.johnson-danielson.com
