Guenter Carstensen

Guenter Carstensen, 83, passed away on June 6, 2025. He was born on October 6, 1941, in Schwesing, Germany to Carl and Wilhelmine Carstensen. As a boy, he enjoyed spending time on his grandfather’s farm, visiting Denmark, and holidays along the North Sea. Following grade school, he chose a carpentry apprenticeship and developed into a highly skilled cabinet maker. “Every cut must leave half of the pencil mark behind,” he often said, as he crafted beautiful works out of teak, his favorite wood. In 1962, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in many places throughout Germany. This was the “time of his life”, as he often told stories of the friendships and experiences he enjoyed during his military service.

In May 1965, Guenter immigrated to the USA and joined his sister Ursula (Ulla) in Chicago. Ulla was newly married to John Schoblocher, who just happened to have the most beautiful younger sister - Christina. Guenter and Christina married in 1966, on the hottest day ever, and began their life together. He worked as a display carpenter for United Display, bought his first Oldsmobile Toronado – a gold one – and began a love affair with sailing. Guenter and his brother-in-law, John, bought a 39-foot fiberglass sailboat and enjoyed many summer days sailing on Lake Michigan. A co-worker offered Guenter a stay at his cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin to escape the big city and try some fishing. This was a big hit and soon Guenter, John, and his father-in-law Matthias opted to purchase a small cottage on Nudist Lake in Conover. Weekends became devoted to remodeling and eventually rebuilding the family cottage, which remains a very special place today. In fall 1971, their son Sven was born. But their time living in Chicago was coming to an end, as they dreamed of a simpler life.

In 1973, Guenter and John purchased a dairy farm on the shores of Mission Lake in Gresham, Wisconsin and moved their families to the country. Guenter and Christina welcomed their daughter, Michelle, in the spring of 1974. The farming life was a hard, with endless chores and few (if any) days off. However, it was a wonderful place to raise the children and Sven and Michelle thrived growing up on the farm with their cousins. After nearly 30 years of milking cows, bailing hay, and picking rocks, they sold the farm in 1998. Still too young to retire, Guenter got a job with Carver Yachts in Pulaski in their maintenance department. He rediscovered the enjoyment of weekends off and made many friends working in the manufacturing plants. Guenter also had more time again for wood working and built wonderful items that are cherished by family and friends.

More than anything, Guenter loved spending time with Sven and Michelle, which often involved a party. Guenter was the life of many a party, singing German beer drinking songs, schunkeling, and prosting with shots of Jägermeister. “Zigge Zagge, Zigge Zagge, Hoi, Hoi Hoi!,” was his favorite toast. He also loved all things German– beer, cars, people, dogs– everything was the “best ever,” if it was made in Germany! This included his beloved German Shepard, Buddy, his best friend for more than a decade.

Guenter was preceded in death by his beloved son Sven in 2021 – a tragic loss from which Guenter never recovered. Guenter is survived by Christina, his wife of 58 years, daughter Michelle (Marshall Deters), sister Ursula (John) Schoblocher, nephew John Schoblocher, niece Elona (Grant) Winslow, half-brother Michael (Beate) Carstensen, half-sister Angela Rolf, numerous great-nephews, nieces, and cousins in the USA and Germany.

The family is extremely grateful for the excellent care Guenter received from Compassus Hospice and the staff at Aster Assisted Living in Clintonville, WI.

The family will host a happy hour gathering to celebrate Guenter’s life at one of his favorite local hang-outs, the Long Branch Saloon, Grunewald St., Gresham, WI, on July 19, 2025 from 4-7pm.