Karsten Junior Chikuri

WESTBY Karsten Junior (Hansen) Chikuri , age 46, died at home Wednesday February 1, 2017. Karsten was born on April 18, 1970 in Japan to Karsten and Teruko (Chikuri) Hansen, while his father was serving in the U.S. Air Force. As a young man Karsten lived in various places such as Finland MN, Minot ND, and Spanaway WA. He and his family moved to Westby WI where Karsten graduated from Westby High School in 1988. Karsten served his country in the U.S. Army, in Deser Storm and was again deployed to Kuwait in 2012. Karsten was an enthusiastic and talented musician. His primary instrument was the saxophone which he played in the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps, the Army Reserve Band and the Red Bull Band. Karsten is survived by his brother Henry, nephews Cody and Brent Hansen, Aunt Hildur (Robert Bob) Devine, cousins Mark and Michael Kvale and Mara Ziegler as well as many friends and fellow soldiers from his military service. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, and his mother Teruko and father Karsten Hansen. A Memorial Service for Karsten will be held Monday February 6, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.,at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St. in Westby. Pastor John Dumke of Our Saviors Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial and Military Honors will follow at Our Saviors Cemetery in Westby. Friends may call during a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00 t0 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. A luncheon will follow the services at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on Main St. in Westby. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be directed to the Westby Peforming Arts Center, or the Minnesota National Guards Red Bull Band Unit, in Karstens name. On-line condolences may be left at www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family, (608) 634-2100.