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Larry Gene Carstensen, 79

| December 19, 2021 1:00 AM

Larry Gene Carstensen was born May 18, 1942, to Edmond and Minnie Caroline (Arp) Carstensen in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Larry joined siblings, Virgil (Bud), Dale, Harlan, and Dick; younger brother Jeryld would soon follow. He grew up on a farm near Jasper, Minnesota, graduating from Jasper High School. Larry participated in 4-H, raised champion Angus heifers; played clarinet in the school band; sang in the choir – even a solo at graduation. Soon after graduation Larry enlisted in the Air Force receiving his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, then stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington; Larry was a re-entry vehicle specialist on the nuclear nose cone of the Atlas E Missile. While stationed in Spokane, he met his future wife, Charlotte Neihart, whom he married on Nov. 24, 1962.

In 1966, Larry and Charlotte were transferred to Rimini, Italy during which time their oldest daughter, Janet, was born. After two years in Italy and eight years of active duty, Larry was honorably discharged from the Air Force and returned to the Jasper, Minnesota area to farm – raising hogs and growing corn and soybeans. During the two years on the farm, their second daughter, Michelle, was born.

Larry decided to return to school and the family moved to Jackson, Minnesota where Larry attended and graduated from Minnesota West Community and Technical College receiving a degree in Electronics. He was hired by that college to teach and taught several years before moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to operate a feed and farm store. Larry sold the store and was hired by Cenex in St. Paul, Minn., as the Western Regional Sales Manager. He followed a dream of building and operating a convenience store, the Jasper Mini Mall, in Jasper, Minn. He and Charlotte sold the store and retired to Post Falls in 2004.

Over the years Larry was active in the American Legion (49-year member), charter member of Manual Schneidmiller Post #154, Rathdrum, Idaho, Jackson, Minn., Jaycees, Lions Club. He was a Pipestone County, Minnesota County Commissioner, Post Falls Urban Renewal Commissioner and was responsible for the placement of the American flags on the Greensferry bridge overpass in Post Falls. Throughout his life Larry was a proud Air Force veteran, and active in the Military Ministry at Christ the King Lutheran Church and other veteran groups in North Idaho. He received many honors and awards throughout his life – Distinguished Service Award from Jackson County, Minnesota Jaycees; Outstanding Young Man of America 1976, and many sales awards.

Larry leaves his wife of 59 years, Charlotte (Char), his daughters, Janet (Dave) Pulis and Michelle Carstensen Lightle, their German daughter, Beate delli Venneri; four grandchildren: Mason (Miranda) Tweedt, Jordan (Alycia) Tweedt, Preston Lightle, and Irelynd Lightle; three great-grandchildren: Camden Tweedt, Beau Tweedt, and Collin Tweedt. He is also survived by brothers, Dale, Dick (Ginger), Jeryld (Marilyn), his sisters-in-law, Norma Carstensen and Dolly Carstensen, many nieces and nephews along with extended family and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Minnie Carstensen; his brothers, Virgil (Bud), Harlan and infant sister, Velva.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church,13911 SH-53, Rathdrum, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Newby-Ginnings, Post Falls, Idaho.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Larry’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com

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Carstensen