Betty Ann Carstens

Betty Carstens, beloved mother, passed from this earth on October 28, 2025, at the age of 88. She was born in Wayne County, Nebraska on July 19, 1937, to Fred and Nona Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband Ron Carstens, 16 years ago and she missed him every day. They met when she was 18 and married on August 17, 1958. Betty was a lifelong devoted member of the Lutheran Church. She is survived by her sister Ruth Hupp and Betty's 5 children. Her children are Ellen and her spouse John Raymond, Gayle and {Brad Strauch deceased), Mike and his spouse Rita, Steve and his spouse Heather, and Laura and her spouse Daryl Schlotthauer. Betty also doted on her numerous grandchildren: Paul, Keith and David Raymond, Mark and James Strauch, Matthew Carstens and Danielle Kirksey, Kyron and Amelia Carstens, Caitlin Cardwell. She also really doted on her 14 great grandchildren. Wyatt, Paisleigh, Delilah, Landen, Emma, Isabelle, Makenzie, Colton, Gillian, Millie, Faelynn, Max, Damion, and Issac. Betty lived a full life with many hobbies and adventures. A summer working at Yellowstone Park that was interrupted by a forest fire as a teenager was one of her favorites. Numerous trips to Las Vegas with Ron were also grand memories. They were a camping family, and her children all remember the places they camped, Snowy Range, Estes Park, Ruby Beach, Devils Tower. Of course, there had to be swimming at every stop so kids would wear out. Later with her adult children she traveled to Jamaica and cruised to Alaska. Her many hobbies included sewing, embroidering and quilting. A quilt was always the welcoming gift for each new grandchild or great grandchild. She taught her daughters to sew and make their own clothes. Betty also loved pottery, gardening and canning (kids got to weed the garden though). She mainly raised the kids while Ron was on the road selling generators and she frequently threatened them with "wait till your father gets home", but it was said with love. Times when they lived out of Mitchell and the deal she made with her kids, that we worked through the morning and then we had the afternoon to ride our bikes to the pool and swim all afternoon. Good times. There was also an ongoing debate inspired by mom that pit her son-in-laws against each other figuring out who was sent the largest birthday and Christmas card each year. John, Brad and Daryl had the belief that a larger card meant they were most beloved. She and Ron also owned a photo hut where she helped run the shop. Her grandkids remember visits in the summer where the teenagers were sometimes awakened with a glass of water if they couldn't rouse themselves before ten AM, but there was always plenty of fun things to do once they were up. Going on errands with Grandma and she always introduced them. Also, Grandma so happy when they went to church with her and showing them off. Looking forward to family trips with their grandparents. Also, the mouse ornaments she made for the grandkids each Christmas with their name on it. Betty's recipes were legendary and ran the gamut from green enchiladas, Mexican lasagna, sweet rolls rhubarb pie, jams and her always welcome applesauce. We all remember her watermelon pickles, weird sounding but so good. And we all remember her love of Margaritas. Betty was a great mother, grandma, great grandma, friend and she will be missed by all who knew her. But we are happy that she is with the Lord and Ron.

Betty Ann Carstens

July 19, 1937 - October 28, 2025