William "Bill" Carstensen

William Otis Carstensen was born on January 15, 1937 to George T. and Leona L. (Eggers) Carstensen in Pipestone, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in Troy Township, Pipestone County. Bill attended country grade school, and graduated from Pipestone High School on June 3,1954. On July 1st of 1954 he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in January of 1959 with the rank of 2nd Class Radioman RM2(SS) from Submarine USS Sabalo (SS302). On October 13, 1959 he was united in marriage to Sandra Jeanne Bucher at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone. After their marriage the couple lived in Pipestone for two years and Bill worked for Jones furniture. In 1961 they bought the farm in Troy Township. They raised their family and farmed there until 1981 when they moved into Pipestone. He worked briefly at Moorman’s Feed and Bayliner before working as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service from where He retired on January 15, 1999. He and Sandy enjoyed their retirement taking bus trips, traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren. Sandy preceded Bill in death on Saturday, August 7, 2021. After Sandy’s death, Bill moved into Ridge View Estates and resided there until his passing. Bill entered the care of the Pipestone County Hospice House and after a short time passed away peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2023 at the age of 86.

Bill was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he was a council member and financial secretary for a number of years. He was a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post 6 in Pipestone. During retirement he enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling, reading, and watching Westerns. He and Sandy were members of the BS Card Club where they enjoyed spending time with friends. You could also find him almost every day enjoying coffee with a group of friends who gathered around “the table of knowledge”. Bill was a man with an amazing sense of humor, was quick witted and always had a ready joke. He had a very easy- going nature and you couldn’t find a more gentle man. He adored his grandchildren and they adored him, especially when he busted out his rolls of quarters for games at Dar’s Pizza. He was a generous man and loved helping others. Both he and Sandy loved watching their grandchildren become parents themselves. Most of all, the time he spent with this family was his most treasured.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his 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; 15 great- grandchildren; one brother, Charles (Janet) Carstensen of Rochester, Minnesota; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy; his parents George & Leona; and his siblings Nyla (Elmer) Prinsen, and George “Tom” (Doris) Carstensen. His parents- in-law Arley and Vila Bucher, siblings-in-law Janice (Jim) Frey, and many special nieces and nephews.