Diane Carstensen

Diane Lyn Carstensen was born on January 22, 1953 to Merlyn and Luella (Duncan) Mundahl in Watertown, South Dakota. She lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota until 1966 when the family moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. Diane attended Pipestone High School where she was active in Girl Scouts and was a member of the drill team.  She graduated in 1971.  Shortly after high school she was united in marriage to Jim Carstensen. The couple moved to San Diego where Jim was stationed for the Navy. They then moved back to Minnesota in 1973. In 1975 the couple was blessed with their daughter Rebecca and raised her on the family farm by Ward, South Dakota. Diane and Becky moved to Pipestone in 1978.  She worked various places over the years, and was a caregiver at Hope Haven for the last 20+ years where she really enjoyed working with the residents.  In 2020, she retired due to Covid and her health.

Diane was a member of the Presbyterian Church.  She enjoyed watching all kinds of movies, especially Hallmark and Disney, listening to all kinds of music and dancing, spending time with family and friends, especially the time spent with her grandchildren, Kira and Brady as they were growing up.  One thing that Diane's friends and family will remember about her is she was always late for everything!  She loved visiting with people that she would run into around town and always greeted them with a warm smile.

Diane is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Becky (Eric) Hopp of Nicollet, Minnesota; grandchildren, Kira Hopp of New Ulm, Minnesota and Brady Hopp of Mankato, Minnesota; siblings, Jody (Terry) Norling of New Holstein, Wisconsin, Michele (Dan) Ward of Wilmar, Minnesota, Penny Trigg of Pipestone, Kevin (Ronda) Mundahl of Wilmar, Lori Ennen (friend, Scott Schwering) of Alpha, Minnesota, and Danny (Patty) Mundahl of Brookings, South Dakota; lifelong special friends, Mike and Violet Fiedler who were always there when Diane needed anything; and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Greg and Darwin; her infant daughter, April; and her grandparents.