Peggy Karstoft

Peggy Eda Karstoft, 86, resident of Rawlins, Wyoming was born on May 15, 1939, in Rawlins to Danish emigrants Frode and Eda (Petersen) Karstoft. Peggy passed away at home on August 20, 2025.

As a young girl, Peggy spent her early years exploring Wyoming and the area surrounding Rawlins alongside her mother, father, and her brother Richard. A graduate of Rawlins High School in 1957, Peggy was active, in the PEP club, FFA – Future Farmers of America, Rawlins High “R” Club, and the GAA – the Girls Athletic Association which was an organization for girls interested in various phases of sports to include basketball, volleyball, bowling, tumbling and archery.

Peggy lived an exciting life. After graduation, Peggy attended the University of Wyoming in 1958 and 1959. She held a degree in education and received a bachelors’ degree from St. Mary’s College (University of Saint Mary) in Xavier / Leavenworth, Kansas and a master's degree in education from Kansas Normal School / Kansas State Teachers College which changed its name to Emporia Kansas State College in 1977. She taught in Kansas and Nevada. From Wyoming, she moved to Kansas and her story really begins.

Peggy joined the Sisters of Charity order in Leavenworth, Kansas, with the hopes and dreams of becoming a nun. She chose the name Sister James Kevin. She was a member of the Sisters of Charity from 1960 to 1968 where she had taken her temporary vows and became a postulant nun and then a novice nun; but Peggy did not become a Sister. When she left the Sisters of Charity community Peggy briefly returned to Wyoming. In 1970, Peggy did consider rejoining the Sisters of Charity but life had other plans. After leaving the nunnery, Peggy continued to teach school in Kansas and obtain her master’s degree from 1968 to 1971.

She taught physical education and biology at Immaculata High School from 1963 to 1964 and Ward High School in Leavenworth from 1964 through 1968. She taught special education in the late 80’s and early 90’s in the Humble County School District in McDermitt Nevada.

In 1971, Peggy’s life dramatically changed as she went from the convent to continue her teaching to the US Army barracks. Peggy was in the Army until March 1978 when she was honorably discharged. While in the Army, Peggy was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. She was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and served in the Army during the Vietnam Era.

As the newspapers around the United States announced, Peggy a 32-year-old former nun joined the Army in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Peggy chose to attend officer’s candidate school and became a first lieutenant early the next year in 1972. Peggy Eda Karstoft was sworn into the Women's Army Corps by Captain Mary K. Van Tiburg in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Explaining her decision to enlist in the Woman's Army Corps, Peggy Eda Karstoft of Rawlins said, "I've tried a little of everything in my life." Peggy began 18 weeks training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, in February 1971.

Peggy Karstoft said she decided to end her years as a nun, because, "I couldn't make my own decisions." "I don't want to be a hypocrite. There were things I couldn't agree with," she said. The decision to join the service, she said, was prompted by a desire to use her educational training and serve her country. After leaving the service and Kansas, Peggy moved to Nevada where her final teaching position was as a special education teacher on the Indian Reservation for the Humble County School District near McDermitt Nevada.

Upon retirement, Peggy moved back home to Rawlins. Peggy was a big cat lover and was very devoted to them. There was Fuzzy Butt, Scamper, Tipper and Thumper. Peggy loved all animals and besides her cats she adopted many of the neighborhood stray cats. Deer and birds knew to come to her yard for food, shelter and sanctuary. It wasn’t unusual to have a herd of deer in the yard or bird at the bird feeders.

She loved playing video games. If she was not playing a game; then, Peggy enjoyed her sports. She was a diehard Kansas City fan. Go Chiefs! Go Royals! She would watch all the games on TV and had the biggest sports package around to watch them with.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Richard Karstoft, her Aunt Elsie Townsend, Uncles Henry Petersen and Kay Petersen; her cousin, Earlene Chapman, and her dear friends Juanita Roberts Kelley and Cindy Ogburn.

Peggy is survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Karstoft of Cheyenne and Saratoga, Wyoming, niece Vicki (Robert) Milano of Albuquerque, New Mexico and nephew Kenneth (Stephanie) Karstoft of Casper and Leo, Wyoming and Lake Havasu, Arizona. She is survived by her Aunt Karen Petersen. She is also survived by cousins, Bruce (Barbara) Petersen of Michigan, Laureen (Mike) Shultz of Colorado, and Dorreen Davis of California. Her friend’s Sandra and Jerry Cole, daughter Candace Cole and their families. She leaves behind a legacy of service, love, laughter, and adventure that will live on through her family and friends.

On behalf of Peggy, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the friends, neighbors, Senior Center workers, the US post office workers, and the Meals on Wheels staff and delivery drivers who watched over Peggy over the years. We will be forever grateful.

A memorial celebration of Peggy’s life will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:00 to 6:30 PM in the Carbon Room at Carbon County Public Library in Rawlins, WY. Please stop by for some refreshments (cookies and tea/lemonade) and share your memories of Peggy.

If you choose, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, the Senior Center, or the Carbon County Library in Rawlins, Wyoming or the animal charity of your choice.