Caryl Leland Carstensen

Caryl Carstensen was born on June 23, 1934 in northeast Nebraska. His parents lived on a farm that was homesteaded by his great great-grandfather Lorenz Thomsen in 1884. Lorenz purchased timber to build one of the first frame houses in the area, known as “Dutch Hollow”. The homestead was expanded through the generations and Caryl lived and farmed the same land 100 years later.

Caryl’s favorite toy when he was young was anything with wheels and he used his imagination to keep busy around the farm. He would sing along with his dad while they were milking cows, and this started his love of music.

The WWII sugar rations were insufficient for Caryl. He would rather be hungry than eat his cereal without sugar. His love of all things sweet, especially ice cream, continued throughout his life.

Caryl attended the Dutch Hollow country school. Four generations attended the same school, from his grandmother through his daughters. He graduated from Neligh High School in 1951, and still had high school friends who nicknamed him Curly because he had curly hair. He married Donna Kallhoff in 1955 and they soon welcomed three daughters into the family.

Caryl used government loans to purchase the family land. The land was very hilly and needed eight miles of road grader constructed terraces and 800 rods of fence line. Caryl was ahead of many farmers in the area by practicing minimum tillage. He was named the Antelope County Outstanding Farmer of the Year and was recognized for his outstanding contribution to agriculture conservation and promoting pork in the area.

Even though farming and raising livestock kept him busy, he still had time for his passion for singing. Caryl was the director of the church choir. He sang duets with Donna at approximately 50 funerals per year, and performed solos at 40 weddings. Their daughters added their voices, and the family would sing for local groups. The family’s final performance was at Caryl and Donna’s 25th wedding anniversary celebration when they sang “No Man Is An Island” for the crowd.

Caryl helped form the Kordsmen gospel quartet in the early 1960’s. They recorded an album, performed a monthly live TV show and sang in churches around northeast Nebraska. He decided to leave the quartet after three years due to the demands of farming.

You never knew what Caryl would buy at farm auctions. One day in the mid 1970’s, Caryl bought a barn, sight unseen and used the lumber to build a finishing unit for 500 hogs. Caryl and Donna moved from the farm in 1983, and he retired in 2004 from the University of Nebraska Swine Unit. During his tenure, he maintained the facilities, filled in for staff vacations and installed a complex feeding system. Caryl also developed a passion for woodworking. Each piece was made with love and will be treasured for generations.

The couple started spending their post-retirement winter months at the Trail Riders Park in Mesa, AZ, and moved permanently in 2006. Caryl was happy to help the park residents with handyman jobs.

Music returned to the forefront after retirement as Caryl joined several barbershop groups and performed all over the Valley. He could sing all four parts of 134 different barbershop songs. He also sang in the Apache Wells Community Church choir as well as solos. Wherever there was music playing, Caryl was singing along.

Donna passed away in 2008. Caryl had many friends in the park and found companionship with Dona Agenter. They enjoyed traveling to visit Dona’s family, playing golf, bowling and other park social activities. He peacefully left this earth on October 17, 2023.

Caryl is survived by his daughter, Deb and children Ben and Sarah; Dianne, husband Greg and daughters Amanda and Alyssa; Denise, husband Bill and sons Bill and Cole, and brother Dale. He was also an honorary grandpa to Dona Agenter’s family. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and wife.

A graveside service will be held at Oakdale Cemetery in Oakdale, Nebraska on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Memorial donations may be made to the Oakdale, NE Cemetery or the Apache Wells Community Church. Checks can be made to Caryl’s daughter, Denise Cook, 424 N. Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201.