Sandra J. Carstensen

SANDRA JEANNE CARSTENSEN was born on March 7, 1937 to Arley and Vila (Hinz) Bucher in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was raised on the family farm in Gray Township, Pipestone County, and attended District #25 Country School through the eighth grade. She then attended and graduated from Pipestone High School on June 3, 1954. Sandy then began working as a clerk for the Pipestone County Superintendent of Schools until June 1956. In July 1956, she went to work as the Deputy County Auditor for Pipestone County. Sandy was well organized and through the years of her employment she embraced learning new systems and technologies. On October 13, 1959, Sandy was united in marriage to William “Bill” Carstensen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone. The couple settled on a farm in Troy Township, Pipestone County, in 1961 where they made their home and raised their four children. In 1981, Sandy and Bill moved from their farm into Pipestone. Sandy continued to work until her retirement on March 31, 1994. During her retirement years, she remained busy with her handiwork, having coffee with her close friends, traveling and taking bus trips and visiting her children and grandchildren. On Saturday, August 7, 2021, Sandy died peacefully at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 84 years and five months.

Sandy was baptized on April 25, 1937 and confirmed in her family on May 21, 1950 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Upon her marriage to Bill, Sandy was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir and served as a Sunday school teacher. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Pipestone County Senior Citizens, Jr. Sorosis Club and the BS Card Club. She enjoyed golfing, bird watching, hardanger, quilting, crocheting and counted cross stitching. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved watching them grow. Sandy was kind natured, patient and always had time to teach her children new things. She was never too busy to listen and always seemed to be able to give some sound advice when it was appropriate. Her spirit will continue to be held close in the hearts of her family, friends and community.

Sandy is lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Bill; four children, Scot (Glenda) Carstensen of Pipestone, Patti Carstensen (Mike Schadendorf) of Waseca, Minnesota, Mark (Collette) Carstensen of Deer River, Minnesota, and Todd (Lori) Carstensen of George, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren (with 3 more great-grandchildren expected this fall); and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arley and Vila; and sister, Janice and James Frey; parents-in-law, George and Leone Carstensen; siblings-in-law, Nyla and Elmer Prinsen, and Doris Carstensen.