Albert "Kit" Carstens

Services for Albert "Kit" Cartens were held Saturday May 25, 1996, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Manilla, Iowa, with Rev. Timothy Geitz officiating. Music included "Thou Light of Gentile Nations," "Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid," and "Be Still, My Soul: by the congregation. Ruth Joens was organist. Interment was at Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla. Casketbearers were Jay Carstens, Kit Carstens, Roland Huebner, Art Joens, Mark Segebart, and Jon Vennink.

Albert "Kit" Carstens, son of Peter and Mary (Peper) Carstens, was born September 5, 1913, on a farm near Manilla, Iowa. He attended rural school, and graduated from Manilla High School with the class of 1931. After graduation he attended several short courses, continued working on the home farm, and was active in 4-H work.

On September 30, 1939, kit was united in marriage with Maxine Farley. They were the parents of two sons, Jerry and Rick.

In 1940 Kit went to work for Peder Rasmussen who founded the Rasmussen Lumber Company. On January 1, 1959, Kit took the position of manager of the Farmer's Cooperative Lumber Company, retiring in 1975. He served as mayor of Manilla for 12 years. He was involved with the Manilla Development Corporation, Crawford County Compensation Board, Crawford County Landfill Commission, the Board of Region XII, Community Club, and Chamber of Commerce.

Kit's wife, Maxine, passed away April 21, 1975.

On September 5, 1977, Kit was united in marriage with Verna (Asmus) Brady; Kit and Verna made their home in Manilla.

Kit had been in failing health and died early Wednesday morning, May 22, 1996, at Manning General Hospital, Manning, Iowa, at the age of 82 years, eight months, and 17 days.

Besides his first wife, Kit was preceded in death by his parents; a brother in infancy; two sisters: Melinda Carstens, and Florence Carstens; a brother Melroy Carstens, and his son Rick Carstens.

Kit is survived by his wife, Verna Carstens, of Manilla; a son, Jerry Carstens and his wife Kathy of Wyoming, Iowa; a brother Junior Carstens, and his wife, Pat, of Manilla; sisters-in-law: Lucille Carstens of Manilla, Lydia Musfeldt of Manning, and Alma "Tootie" Vollmer of Manning; five grandchildren: Kirt, Dana, Jeff, Jay, and Lance Carstens; two step-grandchildren: Scott Harms and Brenda Leonard; one great-grandchild and three step-great-grandchildren.

Kit was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla where he served as trustee. Kit enjoyed fishing and golf.