Gary Lee Carstens of Pickrell, Nebraska passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family. He was born on April 28,1944, to George and Louise Carstens.

Gary was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Pickrell, where he was baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Filley High School and served in the Air National Guard. Out of high school, Gary started working with his father on the family farm, and over the years grew that to a number of different farms across Gage County. While always staying involved with farming, Gary also started his business, Carstens Construction, in 1967. For the next five-plus decades he served many locals by terracing their fields, building their water ways, and digging their ponds. Running his dozer was just one of his favorite things to do. Mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his family, lake time in the Ozarks, and visiting family in Colorado.

He is survived by his three sons, Scott (Adrienne) of Pickrell, Jamie (Tammi) of Beatrice, and Todd of Denver, Colorado; his sisters, Joyce (Bob) Bernard of Beatrice, and Janice (Ed) Goesch of Vermillion, South Dakota; his grandchildren, Jayde (Jared) Marsh of Hebron, Jarrett Carstens of Fort Worth Texas, Sydney Carstens (Matt) of Altoona, Iowa, Landon Carstens of Pickrell, Delaney Carstens of Lincoln; great grandson, Brooks Marsh; sisters-in-law, Joan (Lynn) Barnes of Castle Rock, Colorado, Karen Chloupek of Lincoln, Barb Thompson of Castle Rock, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Judy Rathe Carstens; his parents, George & Louise (Busboom) Carstens; parents-in-laws, Hubert and Teda (Baehr) Rathe; brothers-in-law, Jack Chloupek and Greg Thompson; nephew, Jason Goesch; and niece, Suzanne Miller.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell with Pastor Jerry Gilbreath officiating.  The service will be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page.  Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Pickrell.  A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. on Friday at the church. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family for future designation with Robert and Joyce Harms and Oran and Judy Obering in charge.  www.foxfuneralhome.net  Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.