Carsten, Donald Kay 1933-2025

CARSTEN, HILTON

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/29/2025 at 13:27:22

Donald Kay Carsten, 92 of Albuquerque, NM, formerly of Henderson, NV passed away on March 18, 2025. Born on January 30, 1933 in Hawarden IA. He graduated from high school in 1951 and the University of Iowa in 1955 with a degree in business. He returned home and joined his father in the trucking business and opened 2 self serve laundromats in 1959.

In 1957 he married Jeanine Hilton of Sioux City Iowa, a school teacher in Hawarden where they had 3 children. In 1970, he and his family moved to Sioux Falls, SD. He was employed by All American / American Freight Systems. He travelled throughout the Midwest, loved his work and made many friends in the trucking industry. In 1980 he became General Manager of Twin Modal, a truck brokerage company.

One of his greatest joys was his family’s lake home in Northeastern South Dakota on Lake Pickerel. For 20 years it became a family retreat for fishing, water sports and good times with friends and family. He loved fishing for walleye and was very proud of the many trophy sized fish he caught over the years. He liked to think of himself as a master angler. He cherished the many memories made at the lake.

In Sioux Falls, he was a member of the Ambassadors of the Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters, Downtown Rotary Club and was a 60 year member of the El Riad Shrine Temple.

In 2000, D Kay retired to Sun City MacDonald Ranch in Henderson, NV. For 13 years he worked part time in Las Vegas for Destination Management Companies that catered to conventions and tourist gatherings. He enjoyed the people he worked with and met many people from all over the world. His favorite hobbies were golfing with his men’s group and going to the gym where he made many close friends. He loved to say he was “Living the Dream”.

After moving to Albuquerque, NM in 2023 he enjoyed playing poker, attending happy hour and gardening at Affinity Retirement Community where he made many new friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents L.R. and Lois Carsten of Hawarden, IA; his sister Janet Gerdes; his former wife Jeanine Hilton Moss, and their son James Carsten.

D. Kay is survived by his children Jan Toolson of E. Greenwich, RI and her children Sam and Hannah and Jeff Carsten and wife Natalie of Albuquerque, NM and their children Jonathan, Nicole, Lily and Laila.

Posted online on March 25, 2025 and
Published in Argus Leader