Raymond H. Carstensen
May 13, 1921 - September 7, 2016

Raymond H. Carstensen

Send Flowers Send Flowers
I served in the armed forces.
Raymond H. Carstensen, age 95, of Fremont,
passed away in his home Wednesday (Sept. 7, 2016).

He was born May 13, 1921 on the farm near Bennington, Nebraska to Carsten and Martha (Thomsen) Carstensen. In his early childhood years, the family moved to a farm near Elkhorn. He received his education in Bennington, Elk City and Elkhorn. He moved again with his family to a farm northwest of Fremont and then to his parents' acreage northwest of Hooper.

Ray served in the US Army during the WWII years of 1944-45 with training at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas, and then was stationed at Fort Robinson in northwest Nebraska as an instructor for the K-9 handlers. In a book, Forever Hero's by Joyce Winfield, that will be coming out this fall, Ray is 1 of 21 surviving Nebraska WWII veterans to be included. On September 15, 1950, Ray was married to Elaine Sprick in the former Zion Lutheran Church of Hooper. They lived on the farm that Ray rented for approximately 22 years until moving to Fremont in 1972. Ray was employed at Midland Lutheran College from 1968 until retiring in 1987. Ray also did some carpentry work, building cabinets, and making many items for family and friends. He did many carpentry and cabinet projects for Midland College.

He was a member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Fremont, and a life member of American Legion Post 18 of Hooper.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine and his 7 sisters.

Survivors: daughter Laraine and husband Jerry Gutschow, Blair
son Dean and wife Karen Carstensen, Fremont
3 grandchildren

A memorial service will be 10:30 Tuesday (Sept. 13, 2016) at St. Timothy Lutheran Church with Rev. Russell McDowell presiding. There is no visitation. The private committal is in the Hooper Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Timothy Lutheran Church and Fremont Health Hospice.

Online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com

    Print Obituary
Service
Memorial Service
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
10:30am
St. Timothy Lutheran (ELCA)
538 W. 16th St.
Fremont, NE  68025
Map & Directions

Interment
Hooper Cemetery
Hooper, NE  68031

Condolences(7)

  1. Wanda Samson
    Ray was an inspiration to those around him with his infectious laughter and woodworking skills. I cherish the memories made and conversations held over the past 40 plus years along with the items I've received from his workshop. You will be missed my friend, but you have received your reward of going to the place prepared for you. It isn't good-bye, but "God Be With You Until We Meet Again."
  2. Sheri Wilberding
    Will always remember Ray bringing in beautiful delicate wooden butterflies and crosses to us in the alumni office. Want a talented and sweet man.
  3. Mary Wiese Kelly
    Dean, Laraine and family--so sorry your dad is gone. He was a really good man.
  4. Jody
    Our deepest sympathies to the family from all your friends at Midland.
  5. Rodney & Nancy Tomrdle
    We are so very sorry for your loss. Ray was such a special person. He always had a smile & a kind word for everyone. Always busy with some kind of carpentry or wood working. He made so many beautiful things. We have sev little things he made us that we will always cherish. So many beautiful things at church he made. Memories of him will always bring a smile to our faces & a warmth to our hearts. He truly lived his faith in so many ways. May GOD keep all of you in His care & bring you peace of heart. Rod & Nancy Tomrdle
  6. Larry & Kathy Moseman
    Sorry for your loss,
  7. cindy hinkel
    so sorry for this loss, I admired Rays way of honoring God with his gift of carpentry. I have several items delicately and uniquely mad by his hand. I will cherish them all !!. from a intricate butterfly to a solid Bible stand, all were made with precision and pride in a craft well done.. his humor and a humble heart will be missed , but , his legacy will forever be around us in his gifts of wood working. God Bless your family at this time , we will miss this kind friend, sincerely, cindy and family
Send Flowers

It's never too late to send flowers.