Richard (Dick) H. Carstens, 75, of Jefferson, peacefully passed away June 12, 2026. He was born on December 7, 1950, in Carroll to Herman and Geniece Carstens.
Dick grew up on a farm outside of Paton and graduated from Paton-Churdan Community School in 1969. He married his high school sweetheart Connie Fillman in 1971 in Farnhamville, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Dick graduated from Iowa State University in 1973 with a degree in ag business and marketing management. He and Connie purchased a farmstead just outside of Churdan in 1977, where they farmed and raised their two children, Nicole and Josh. Although Dick and Connie moved off the farm in 2005 to Jefferson, Dick said, “Farmers never really retire,” and he continued to manage their farmland until his passing.
Dick loved his wife, loved his children, loved his grandchildren and loved his Cubs. If you knew Dick, you knew him to be honest and generous, quietly helping others.
He is survived by his wife Connie Carstens; his daughter Nicole Rasmussen and her husband Tim Rasmussen; his son Josh Carstens and his wife Mylissa Carstens; his grandchildren Benjamin and Ella Gebhart; and his brother Alan Carstens and his wife Cindy.
A faithful Christian, Dick found strength and peace in Christ. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Though we grieve, we do not grieve without hope, for we trust in God’s promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, a Bible verse he shared often.
A celebration of his life will be held June 16, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 801 West Lincoln Way in Jefferson, Iowa. A family graveside service will be held at a later date at Dawson Township Cemetery, Paton, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church to create a fund for children to attend Okoboji Lutheran Church Camp. Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com.
