John Carstens

John Henry Carstens was born June 25, 1924 to Michael and Mary (Hoefft) Carstens at Mott, North Dakota. When John was one year old he moved to rural Lake Benton, Minnesota. The family moved various times in the area and settled on the family farm south of Ash Lake near Ivanhoe, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. He attended a country school a mile-and-a-half north of the Arco corner and later received his GED. On March 8, 1959 John married Dorothy Faulds at Lincoln Lutheran Church northeast of Ivanhoe. Their union was blessed with two children and 50 years of life together. The couple farmed southwest of Ivanhoe and in 1962 moved to their present farm in Drammen Township near Lake Benton. Dorothy died March 24, 2009. John continued to live on the farm until his health declined and he recently moved to Good Samaritan of Pipestone, where he died on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the age of 91.

John was a member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. He enjoyed most his work and care of his cattle, and also enjoyed visiting with people, playing cards, and the Drammen Township Farming Club.

John is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Anna (Gerry) Rudebusch of Lake Benton; son, Carl Carstens of Lake Benton; grandchildren, Rachel and Jeffrey Rudebusch; great-grandson, Alexander; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents; and his siblings, Frank, Helen, Minnie, Laura, Clara, and Mike.

Blessed be his memory.