Ruth Elsa Carstensen, age 89, of Salem Township, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by family at her home on Dec. 15, 2023.

Ruth was born in Friesenheim, Germany on July 27, 1934 to Hermann and Magdalena Lieber. She came to the United States in 1954. She married Lyle Carstensen on May 15, 1965 and they made their home in Salem Township. She worked at the Mayo Clinic in the Cardiac Lab for many years.

Her faith and love of our Savior and God Jesus was an inspiration and blessing to us and many others that she met and knew. We could not be more thankful for her example.

She is survived by son, Terry (Brenda) Carstensen of Kasson, MN, daughter, Teresa Carstensen of Byron, MN, 7 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Paul) Myers of Ohio, Katherine (Eric) Anderson of Fargo, ND, Joshua Carstensen of Austin, MN, Zachary Carstensen of Kasson, MN, MacKenzie, Elsa and Dionna Amoako of St. Michael, MN; one great granddaughter, Juliette Myers; brother-in-law Clayton (Darlene) Carstensen of Crosby, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, parents, daughter, Tammy; five sisters and their spouses, Marie (Karl) Jundt, Hanna (Fred) Kehret, Lydia Lieber, Elisabeth Lieber, Dora (Reinhold) Koegel.

A graveside funeral at east St. Olaf Cemetery, Rockdell, MN on Dec. 18 at 2 pm. A celebration of life on Jan. 6 from 1-3 pm at Mt. Sion Lutheran Church, Kasson, MN.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.