Warren Dale Karst
Warren Dale Karst was born on September 16, 1938, in Fairview, Montana, to Alexander “Sander” and Pearl (Johnson) Karst. He passed away on October 30, 2026, in Billings, Montana, leaving behind a family and many friends who will cherish his memory.
Warren graduated from Glasgow Senior High School in 1956. He continued his education at the University of Montana Northern in Havre, Montana, where he attended on a football scholarship from 1957 to 1959. It was during his college years that he met Janice Jeannotte. The two were married on September 5, 1959, and shared 30 years of marriage and raised four children together.
Warren spent more than 30 years working for the United States Postal Service. Throughout his working years, he held several other jobs, including assistant manager at Woolworth's after college, school bus driver, cleaning the Masonic Lodge, and, later in life, working at Pehlke's Furniture. Warren was never one to sit still for long and always seemed to find something to keep himself busy.
Many in Glasgow and Billings will remember Warren as "Coach Karst." He devoted more than 30 years to coaching Little League baseball in Glasgow, along with several years coaching in Billings. He also coached basketball at St. Raphael's Catholic School during the 1960s, before the school closed. Coaching was about more than sports for Warren; it gave him the opportunity to encourage young people, share his love of the game, and make a lasting impression on generations of children.
Sports were always a big part of Warren's life. He was a die-hard New York Yankees fan and loved watching football on Sundays, with the New England Patriots being his favorite team. After retiring, he developed a love for golf and enjoyed collecting golf balls. In his later years, he could often be seen riding his bicycle all over Billings or heading out for his daily walks, always reminding himself and others, "Gotta stay healthy!"
Music and dancing were also among Warren's greatest joys. He especially loved to dance, and those who knew him could often find him and his best friend, Carmen, at the VFW or other Billings gathering places, jitterbugging across the floor. If they weren't dancing, they were likely playing dominoes or watching reruns of Lawrence Welk. Warren loved a good game, especially when he was winning. He enjoyed playing cards, but everyone in the house knew when things weren't going his way. He loved to win and definitely hated to lose!
Warren was also well known for being frugal and for occasionally leaving his wallet at home when heading out to dinner. These little quirks, along with his competitive spirit and love of a good time, were part of what made him uniquely Warren.
Warren is survived by his children: Rod Karst, Kristi Stingley, and Randy Karst. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Koni McMahon.
He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Beverly Teague, Danny Brammer, and Shanna Fredrickson (Tom Hopkins). His two nieces lovingly knew him as "Uncle Wa" or "Wa Wa," special family nicknames that reflected the affection they shared with him.
He leaves behind his grandchildren: Tiffany (James) Turner, TJ Stingley, McKenzie (Travis) Cruz, Brittany Murr, Brett Stingley, Michael McMahon, and Alexia (Sean) Johnson; and his great-grandchildren: Alexander Ost, Kendall Stingley, Isabella Ost-Haeberger, Christopher Osterman, Olivia Turner, Rylee Johnson, Kylynn Stingley, and Grayson Cruz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander “Sander” and Pearl Karst, and his sisters, Joyce Brammer and Sandy Fredrickson.
Warren's life was filled with family, friendships, sports, music, dancing, and countless memories. Whether he was coaching a ballgame, cheering for his Yankees, riding his bike, dancing a jitterbug, or enjoying a competitive game of dominoes or cards, he lived life in his own way.
He will be remembered for his spirit, his humor, his love of the game, and the memories he leaves behind. He may have hated to lose, but he leaves behind a lifetime of love and memories that will never be forgotten.
A Special Thank You
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Renee Gehring, whose kindness, dedication, and companionship provided comfort and support to Warren during his final months. Your presence made a difference in his life, and our family will always be grateful for the care and friendship you gave him.
Family will receive friends on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Bell Mortuary from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Bell Mortuary, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Cottonwood Inn following the burial. Online condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymt.com.
