Carstensen, Wendel 1930-2008

CARSTENSEN, HARMS, VAN GRONIGEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/27/2008 at 11:05:39

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, August 25, 2008

Wendel "Stretch" Carstensen, 78, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, at The Abbey of Le Mars.

Wendel Christian Carstensen was born July 20, 1930 in Merrill, the son of George and Katherine (Harms) Carstensen. He was baptized on Aug. 17, 1930. Wendel attended country school near his home. He was confirmed on May 20, 1945. Wendel continued his education by attending school in Le Mars. Following school he was drafted into the United States Army on Feb. 21, 1952. Wendel served overseas during the Korean War with the 443rd Ordinance Ammo Co. He earned his honorable discharge on Feb. 2, 1954. After his service Wendel returned to the family farm near Merrill.

Wendel began his career in construction and lumber at Veale Lumber Company in Le Mars. He and Genevieve Van Gronigen were united in marriage on Feb 3, 1968 at the Canton Lutheran Church in Canton, S.D. When Veale closed he went to work with the Farmer's Co-Op Lumber Company in Hinton. After more than 30 years in the lumber business, Wendel went to work in the maintenance department at Westmar College in Le Mars. When the college closed he worked for a few years at Wells' Dairy as a security guard prior to his retirement.

Wendel was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. He was also a member of Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion for more than 50 years. He enjoyed collecting John Deere memorabilia, yard work, and was an all around handyman.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Genevieve of Le Mars; three children Mark Foss of Le Mars, Vickie Case and her husband Aaron of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Sheila Konz of Le Mars; six grandchildren Jeremy, Christopher, Kelsey, Tyler, Ashley and Amber; two sisters, Alice Meins of Manchester, N.H. and Mildred Tietjen of Wedgefield, S.C.; and a brother Ray Carstensen and his wife Mary of Warrensburg, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law George Konz; and two brothers-in-law Charles Meins and Willard Tietjen.

Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The Rev. Greg Gabriel will officiate. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars with military honors performed by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today (Monday) at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service set for 6:30 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the funeral home prior to the service on Tuesday.