Glenn John Carstensen was born April 18, 1933, on a farm near Paton. He passed away peacefully at home near Jefferson on July 19, 2024, at the age of 91 years.
Glenn was the son of Clarence and Alice (Namanny) Carstensen. In 1936, Clarence, Alice, Glenn, his older brother Kenneth and sister Shirley moved to a farm 5 -1/2 miles north of Jefferson. His younger sister Evelyn was born there.
Glenn attended country school, Hardin #3, through eighth grade. He graduated from Jefferson High School with the class of 1951. He was an active member of FFA during his high school years.
After graduation, Glenn, along with seven of his classmates, took a two-week trip to California. That was the beginning of his love of travel. After returning to Jefferson, Glenn did construction work until a close friend recruited him to join the 35th Quartermasters Pack for three years. Much to their surprise, that was the last mule pack the Army had. Taking care of the mules was not a bad assignment for an Iowa farm boy. Glenn was stationed at Camp Carson in Colorado and spent his service time there. He learned to snow ski while there and continued skiing until he was in his 80’s. When Glenn returned to Jefferson in 1956, he worked as a welder for Thermogray, making water heaters until 1960.
In 1957, after having lived next door to her for 18 years, he married Joeline Johnson in November. They were married for 66 years. Three children were born to that marriage, Linda, Gary and Paul.
Glenn’s farming career began in 1957 by farming at Goose Lake. In 1960, after his father died, he started fulltime farming north of Jefferson where he grew up. In 1970, he bought a farm two miles south of Jefferson and the family moved there. In 1995, Glenn and Joeline built their retirement home a quarter mile east, where he passed away enjoying the view out his window and his last chocolate chip cookie.
He grew up attending the Lutheran Church. After marrying Joeline, he became a member of Central Christian Church. He was a part of the men’s group and served on several committees through the years. He was a 60-year active member of Jefferson American Legion Post No. 11. He organized a team and played slow-pitch softball as a pitcher for 20 years. He organized a volleyball team and played many years, teasing that he was 20 years the senior of the other players.
Five of the group of classmates from the California senior trip traveled to Canada every fall for a fishing trip for over 44 years. Through the years, Glenn and Joeline traveled through many states, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and cruised the Caribbean. Glenn also traveled to Japan and Korea and skied Austria and Germany.
After receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, he retired from farming and enjoyed his home and family. In 2024, he was also diagnosed with cancer. He accepted whatever life threw at him with faith and a calm demeanor.
Glenn is survived by his wife Joeline Carstensen; daughter Linda Henning; sons, Gary (Carrie) Carstensen and Paul (June) Carstensen; grandsons Justin Henning, Jeremy Henning, Jax Carstensen, Jayden Carstensen, Eli Carstensen, Brady Carstensen, Maddox Carstensen, Jacob (Nicolette) Miner, and Jerry (Melissa) Miner; granddaughter Krista Henning; four great-grandchildren; sister Evelyn (Marcellous) Taylor; other relatives; and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Alice; brother, Kenneth; and sister Shirley.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 26, at Central Christian Church in Jefferson with Rev. J. Alexander officiating. Interment will be at Jefferson Cemetery with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Floyd Brown American Legion Post #11 or the Central Christian Church. The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
