Henry Peter Carstensen Jr.

Henry Peter Carstensen Jr., 95, passed away on September 8, 2023. Henry (Junior) a life-long resident of Almira was born in Spokane, WA on February 27, 1928. The third child of Henry (father immigrated from Germany) and Elizabeth (Blinn) Carstensen. He graduated from Almira Public School in 1946. Graduating with a degree in agriculture from Washington State College in 1950, he returned to run the family farm north of Almira. After fulfilling his father's requirement to finish fall seeding, Junior and Yvaughn were married September 23, 1950 at the Almira Community Church. (They started dating when she was a senior and he was a junior in high school in 1945.) After a honeymoon to Reno, NV and San Francisco, CA. They settled on the family farm north of Almira raising three children: Henry (Pete), Yvaughn (Sissy) and Myron (Mike). In 2013, the family farm house burnt and they moved to Almira living in Yvaughn's childhood home. In 2019, they moved to Vista Manor in Wilbur, WA.

Henry is preceded in death by his wife: Yvaughn, son: Pete, parents: Henry and Elizabeth, brother: Myron, sister: Margaret and brother-in-law Harold.

Survived by his children: Sissy (Yvaughn) & Jack Tompkins of Battle Mountain NV, Mike (Lorie) Carstensen and daughter-in-law Darcy Carstensen both of Almira. Grandchildren Jody (Paul) Schmidt; HP (Cory) Carstensen; Cameron (Nicole) Carstensen; Sara (Thomas) James; Blinn (Addie) Carstensen; Jake Carstensen (Shannon O'Donald); Justin Carstensen. Great grandchildren Carsten, Becca, Drew; Brenna, Nathan, Reegan, Harper; Cade, Kaelynn, Trent; Jaxson, Carter; Trey, Elle; Isla; Blake, Brody, Brock, Blair, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Henry was Past President and served as a Board Director of Central Washington Grain Growers, Inc.(Highline Grain Growers) 1953-1988; Charter Member of the Almira Lions Club, 1953; 65year member of Almira Evening Star Chapter 108 OES; Worthy Patron Evening Star Chapter 108 OES, 1962; Almira Masonic Lodge #127 F & AM, 3rd Degree Mason, 1951; El Katif Shriner; Washington State Grange, Grand Coulee Grange #807 5th Degree, 1942; proud member of Sigma Chi International Fraternity at Washington State College,1946; Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Almira.

Henry would say farming, family and sports were his greatest treasures in life. He'd leave the farm for no more than a few days at a time. He enjoyed playing baseball as catcher with the Almira Community Town Team (in the spring and summers 1950-1959) and traveling far and wide to watch their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren play football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, track, soccer, volleyball, swimming and water polo. Being a graduate of Washington State College, "Cougar" football traveling with friends to Cougar Bowl Games was a highlight, as well as, the annual Grain Grower yearly convention and Board of Director's dinner.

A family graveside service will take place at Sherman Cemetery in Wilbur, WA.

Henry's family requests that any contributions in Henry's name be made to Almira Lion's Club Park, PO Box 134, Almira, WA 99103.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Yvaughn and Henry's life at the Almira Community Center, Almira, WA on Saturday, November 4 at 12:30pm.

Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, Washington is caring for the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.stratefuneral.com the Carstensen family.