Obituary: Ruth Ann Carstensen

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Mountain).

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation

A come and go viewing will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Print Obituary

In memory of

Ruth Ann Carstensen

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at her home near Philip at the age of 75

Ruth Ann Carstensen was born January 27, 1945 in Ute, Iowa. The daughter of Albert and LaMorne (Stegmann) Whitenack. When she was one year old her family moved to Nebraska. At the age of eight the family moved to Schleswig, Iowa where she grew up and received her education. After graduating high school, Ruth Ann attended the University of North Dakota.

On April 4, 1972, she was united in marriage to Charles "Chuck" Carstensen and to this union were born four children: Cheryl, Randy, Tammi, and Melody. She started working at Philip Heath Care in 1972 and later became the dietary manager. Ruth Ann continued working there until retiring in 2011.

Ruth Ann enjoyed being around children and was a foster parent for sixteen years. She always found time to spend with her grandchildren. She loved to read to them and take long walks. She also enjoyed playing music with her husband and played for many dances at the Philip Nursing Home.

Survivors include her husband Chuck Carstensen of Philip; one son Randy (Bounyeng) Carstensen of Albertville, Minnesota; three daughters: Cheryl Reyes of Halbrook, Arizona, Tammi Schofield of Philip, and Melody (Tony) Kelly of Black Hawk; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers William Whitenack and Paul (Erla) Whitenack both of Iowa; two sisters Marcella Buchanan of Missouri, and Sue Ibach of Iowa; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers Howard Whitenack as an infant and LeRoy Whitenack; one sister LaJune Pauley; a granddaughter Sarina Carstensen; and a son-in-law Dave Reyes.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Breast Cancer Society or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

A come and go viewing will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Private funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip. Due to church guidelines the service is limited to family only, but a live stream of the funeral and graveside service will be provided on this webpage at the start of the service.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery.

COME AND GO VIEWING
Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 4-7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 - 10:30 a.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Gregory Hinners
Pastor Ray Greenseth

MUSIC
Barb Bowen - Pianist
Pastor Kathy Chesney - Vocalist
Special Music - “How Great Thou Art”
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace” - “Just As I Am”
Postlude - ”The Old Rugged Cross”

PALLBEARERS
Steven Millage - Levi Reyes - Derek Carstensen
Jesse Carstensen - Tristen Schofield - Parker Snyder
Teela Schelske - Daviana Reyes - Harmony Hoffman
Hanah Hoffman - Ali Schofield - Anthony Kelly - Kendra Schofield

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

MEMORIALS
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the
Breast Cancer Society or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

Sign the guestbook

To your family I extend my deepest sympathy in the loss of Aunt Ruth. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I pray for your peace and hope. I have fond memories of my time spent with Ruth and your family. I will cherish those memories and hold her close to my heart. God Bless You! ~ Joelle Seaton Orlando, Florida (7/15/2020)
My thoughts are with you Chuck & Randy Tammi & Melody. I love you all ~ Suzann Ibach Denison Ia. (7/15/2020)
Our sympathy to you Chuck and family. You both made great music together, we are thankful for you friendship through the years. May memories help ease the loss. ~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (7/13/2020)
Chuck and family, so sorry for your loss, but she's finally at rest. Bless her memory, and all of you at this tough time. ~ Glenn and Rita O'Connell Philip (7/13/2020)
I am sending my prayers and thoughts for you and your family she was a good a good person ~ Judy Bosanco Pierre S.D (7/13/2020)
Sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. Enjoyed working with her at Philip health services. She was a caring person. God Bless. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, SD (7/12/2020)
I love all my sisters you are with mom and dad. love you
~ Bill Whitenack Schleswig, Iowa (7/12/2020)
So sorry to hear about Ruth's passing. She truly was one of a kind! ~ Lydia, Larry, & Roseann Schulz Philip (7/12/2020)
Dear Chuck, my mother and I send sympathy to you and many caring thoughts. Ruth was so kind, both while working at the nursing home and then playing in the later years. She will be missed. ~ Kay Foland Rapid City (7/11/2020)
We are thinking of all you folks during this difficult time. Hold on to all the memories, keep music in your heart. Ruth always called us on the Saturdays that they were playing at the nursing home to ask us to come dance. We enjoyed dancing to their music, she will be missed. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip SD (7/11/2020)
Sending thoughts and prayers in this time of deep loss. ~ Karen Hanson Rapid City SD (7/11/2020)
God bless you Ruth. You were a great lady. Please tell my mom hi, and keep your head up Chuck and family. ~ Tim and Colleen Pauley Denison, Iowa (7/10/2020)
Rest easy Ruth, you always believed in me and for that I'm eternally grateful. You were my boss, friend and mentor. You will be greatly missed. ~ Danae McLaughlin Philip (7/10/2020)
So very sorry to hear of your loss. We know you loved her as a wife, mother and grandma. Will remember her volunteering her time playing music for the Nursing Home. Our hearts and prayers are with you. ~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin Midland (7/10/2020)