Vernon Carstensen

Former Mayor of Mankato Vernon "Sarge" Carstensen, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Mankato on November 4, after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. Interment will be at Minneopa Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, November 9 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

He was born August 2, 1925 in rural Watonwan County to Thomas and Rosa (Rabe) Carstensen. He attended school in St. James and Madelia He married Norma Dovenmuehle on August 16, 1952 in Hector Minnesota.

Sarge entered the Army in 1949 and served over 20 years retiring in 1970. He was the recruiter in Mankato for many years. When not stationed in Mankato the family lived in Germany, Texas, Georgia and Virginia. He served combat tours of duty in: Korea where he was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart. He also served 2 tours of duty in Viet-Nam in 1964-1965 and again in 1968-1969. He was awarded many medals including the bronze star and the Army Air Medal.

After retiring from the military Sarge opened Jake's Stadium Pizza in Mankato in 1972. He expanded his business holdings with Jake's Pizza in St James in 1978, Highland Liquor in 1980. He retired in 1997 and the businesses are now run by his family.

He was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher, usher, a deacon, trustee and president of the congregation.

Sarge dedicated much time to the American Legion, where he was an active member of Post 11 in Mankato. He held many Legion offices including Department Commander for the State of Minnesota in 1979-80. He was also on national committees.

He was Mayor of Mankato from 1986-1990. He was very involved in the start-up of the Mankato Area Council for Quality. He was a member of the 40 & 8, VFW, and other military organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Norma; son Brian and wife Elaine Carstensen of Garden City; daughters Brenda and husband Wally Boyer of North Mankato, Diane Halverson and husband James Matthews of St. James; grandchildren: Jon Boyer of New York City, Chris Boyer of Rochester, Andrew Boyer of Duluth, Beth and husband Adam Koch of St. James; step-granddaughter Ashley Matthews of St. James; great-"grandchildren: Aaron, Azailya, and Deegan of St. James; brothers: Henry of Madelia, Norman and wife Kathleen of Marshall, Harold of San Antonio TX; sisters: Rose Jacobson of Bemidji, Vi Anderson of Madelia; in-laws: Mary Ann Koch of Waukesha WI, Floyd and Una Walters of Litchfield, Glen and Donna Dovenmuehle of Hector; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother G L. "Butch", sisters: Helen Bohm, Irene Bohm, Norma Carstensen; sisters-in-law; Lucille Carstensen, Grace Carstensen; brothers-in-law Ernie Jacobson, Helge Bohm, Bob Anderson, Mark Macik, Lowell Proehl, Ellis Rossell and nephews, Paul Macik and Gary Carstensen.