William Carstensen

William Roger Carstensen was born March 23, 1939 at St. James to parents Lenol and Kathryn (Melick) Carstensen. Bill grew up in St. James graduating high school in 1957. He was united in marriage to Ellen Berg on October 7, 1960. The couple made their home in St. James. Bill enlisted in the National Guard at age 17. He worked for the City of St. James for seven years before becoming a maintenence supervisor at Green Giant Foods, he then went to work full time for the National Guard serving 18 years before his retirement in 1997. Bill was active with the ambulance service, serving for more than 40 years, he was also active in the fire department, serving over 33 years. He served as fire chief from 1993 to 1998, was an EMS and Fire instructor, also was an OSHA Mine Safety instructor. He was the Minnesota EMT of the Year in 1988. Bill was a member of the American Legion, Jaycees, and Lions club and a life member of the VFW. Bill enjoyed time with his family and activities such as flying, camping, softball, his motorcycle and the time spent with the family pets. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Ellen of St. James, daughter Gail Johnson of Fairmont, son Brian and his wife Susan of Lakeville, grandchildren Stephanie and Ashley Benson, Brandon and Taylor Carstensen and a greatgrandson Mason Benson,two sisters Betty and Kevin Jones of Grand Rapids, MN and Donna and Don Willms of North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents.