Ingwer Harold Carstensen was born at home on a blustery winter day near Everly, Iowa on January 13, 1929. After declining health but nothing specific, he passed away at the age of 96 1/2 on September 7, 2025 at the Hiawatha Care Center after a long and productive life built on steady labor, service, and devotion to family and community.
Ingwer was the son of Joe and Emma (Jensen) Carstensen. His family moved to a farm in Delmar when he was a boy, and he graduated from Delmar high school in 1947. From an early age, Ingwer showed an aptitude for mathematics and used that skill throughout his life to manage the farm, calculate cattle production, and track the family’s cash flow. On August 3, 1952, he married Dorothy Fey, beginning a partnership rooted in commitment, determination, and perseverance. Shortly after, he was drafted into the army during the Korean War where he served stateside. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned home and continued to farm with his parents.
In 1962, Ingwer and Dorothy purchased a farm near Preston, Iowa, where they raised their family and worked side by side to build a life of purpose. Ingwer dedicated himself to the land, raising corn and feedlot cattle, and remained active in the feedlot well beyond the time others urged him to slow down. His work ethic was steady and unyielding, as was his temperament. He embodied the values of responsibility and persistence that defined his generation. He resided at the farm until this summer.
Beyond his farm, Ingwer gave freely of his time and talents to his community. He served as chaplain for the American Legion for many years, was active in the Izaak Walton League and the Preston Lions Club and contributed to the work of the county and state cattlemen’s associations. His dedication to livestock farming was recognized with induction into the Cattlemen’s Hall of Fame, and he also served as a director on the National Livestock and Meat Board. For over six decades, he was a faithful member of the Preston United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his children Jim (Dawn Strait) Carstensen of Bellevue, Connie (Dan) Conine of Robins, and Mary Jo (Rich) Hainstock of Boulder, Colorado; grandchildren Matthew Hainstock, Carissa (Robert) Minkebige, Ethan Carstensen (Allison Hagar), Ben Conine, and Maggie Carstensen (Andrew Le) and step-granddaughter Jenifer (Josh) Pierce, great-granddaughter Margot Minkebige (and sibling on the way); step-great granddaughter Kinzie Pierce; numerous nieces, nephews, great, great-great and even great-great-great nieces and nephews. He knew the names of his many nieces and nephews plus most of their children but got fuzzy on the generations after that.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy, and by all his and Dorothy’s siblings and their spouses.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa with services at 10 A.M., Friday, September 12, 2025, at Carson’s with burial in the Preston Cemetery, with military honors.
Ingwer often remarked that he had lived a good life. One of his favorite things was going to cattle sales around the country. Over the years, he witnessed farming’s transformation—from picking corn by hand and plowing with a horse to today’s immense GPS-guided equipment—and met each change with anticipation and adaptability. In retirement, he and Dorothy enjoyed traveling across the United States, though some of his happiest moments were found on drives through Jackson County. Above all, he valued time spent with family.
A memorial fund has been established in his name so that his legacy of service and steady devotion may live on.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
