October 21, 1927-January 28, 2023
Yvaughn Grace "Yvaughnie" Carstensen, (95), of Almira, WA passed away on January 28, 2023. Yvaughn a lifelong resident of Almira, WA was born in Wenatchee, WA on October 21, 1927. The only daughter of Vaughn and Mary (Krause) White. She graduated from Almira Public School in 1945 and attended Eastern Washington State College graduating in 1949 with a teaching degree. Her first teaching job was in Colfax, WA from 1949-1950. She married her husband Henry on September 23, 1950 at the Almira Community Church. (She and Henry 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, after the family farmhouse burned, they moved to Yvaughn's childhood home in Almira, where they lived until 2019, when they moved to Vista Manor in Wilbur, WA where they currently reside.
Yvaughn is preceded in death by her parents: Vaughn and Mary, brother: Duane, and son: Pete.
Yvaughn is survived by her devoted husband of over 72 years: Henry; daughter: "Sissy" Yvaughn (Jack) Tompkins of Battle Mountain NV; son: Mike (Lorie) Carstensen of Almira and daughter-in-law: Darcy Carstensen of Almira.
Grandchildren: Jody (Paul) Schmidt; HP(Cory) Carstensen; Cameron (Nicole) Carstensen; Sara (Thomas) James; Blinn (Addie) Carstensen; Jake Carstensen (Shannon O'Donald); Justin (Kim) Carstensen. Great grandchildren: Carsten, Becca, Drew; Brenna, Nathan, Harper, Reegan, Cade, Kaelynn, Trent, Jaxson, Baby James due in April, Trey, Elle, Isla, Blake, Brody, Brock, and Blair; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Yvaughn was a member and Past “Worthy Matron” of Almira Evening Star, Chapter 108 OES, since 1948; El Katif Temple NO.5 Daughters of the Nile; Order of the Rainbow for Girls Wilbur Assembly #105 ORG charter member 1946; Washington State Grange, Grand Coulee Grange #807 "5th Degree" member since 1951; and Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Almira.
Yvaughn was known in Almira as a very community minded person always lending a helping hand. In 1977, Yvaughn began the "Golden Grads" reunions, a gathering of Almira graduates from 50 years prior. The first Golden Grads so honored was the Almira "Class of 1927". This last June the "Class of 1972" was so honored with the "Class of 2022."
Yvaughn was an avid reader and you would often find her asleep with a book in hand! One of her favorite past times was shopping and her motto was “shop till you drop”. She also enjoyed playing “Party”, “Couples”, and “Duplicate Bridge” with her friends in Almira and Wilbur, WA. Yvaughn and Henry would travel far and wide to watch their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren play football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, track, soccer, volleyball, swimming and water polo.
Henry is a graduate of Washington State College, so "Cougar" football was a big part of his and Yvaughn’s life and traveling with friends to Cougar Bowl Games was always a highlight for them.
Last but not least, Yvaughn, took great pride in her hat collection which she gathered from family and friends performing shows throughout Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
A family graveside service took place at Sherman Cemetery in Wilbur, WA.
A memorial celebration of Yvaughn's life will be announced.
Yvaughn’s family request that any contributions in Yvaughn’s name be made to: Almira School, PO Box 217 Almira, WA 99103.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratefuneral.com for Yvaughn's family. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee is caring for her family.
