Alex John Karsten, age four months, died of mitochondrial disease at his home in Owatonna, on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meridan, with the Rev. Gary Rusinko officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and will continue one hour before services on Wednesday. Burial will be at LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting with arrangements.

Alex was born June 14, 2011, in Owatonna, to Brandon Joseph and Bobbi-Jo (Olson) Karsten. He was much loved, not only by his parents and his brother Evan, but also his whole family and community.

Alex is survived by his parents: Brandon and Bobbi Jo Karsten of Owatonna; his big brother, Evan Karsten, of Owatonna; grandparents: Charles (Kris) Karsten, Owatonna, Kim (Roger) Schema of West Concord, Linda (Jerry) Seeger of Kenyon and John (Jennelle) Olson of Ellendale; and aunts and uncles: Brooke (Matt) Spurgeon of Ellendale, Christopher (Mary Jo) Olson, of Ellendale, Jason (Dawn) Karsten, of Owatonna and Trisha Karsten of North Mankato; cousins: Rilyn Spurgeon, Lane Karsten, Kate Karsten and Katie Olson; great-grandparents: Hazel Olson, of Ellendale, Eileen Larson, of Owatonna, Eugene and Berniece Cornelius of Ellendale, and Helen Karsten of Waseca; and Team Alex.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandfathers: William Olson, Dean Larson and Willard Karsten; and by a great-aunt, Elsa Olson.