Brian Carstens

Brian Dale Carstens, 67, of Waterville, IA, passed away peacefully at home on December 18, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10th, at 11:00 AM at Old East Paint Creek Church, in rural Waterville. Brian was laid to rest at Old East Paint Creek Church Cemetery on December 22, 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to: Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice (Decorah, IA), Gundersen Medical Foundation (La Crosse, WI), and/or Al-anon Family Groups (Virginia Beach, VA). Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, IA, is handling arrangements.

Born June 18, 1958, in St. Paul, MN, Brian Dale Carstens was the son of Orma (Gingerich) and Bernard Carstens. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Paul and confirmed at a Lutheran church in Circle Pines, MN.

The youngest of six children, Brian grew up in St. Paul before the family moved to rural Circle Pines when he was in the seventh grade. There he attended Centennial Public Schools and formed a lifelong friendship with Jason. Brian loved the rural life where a boy could learn to ride a dirt bike and to hunt and fish.

After high school, Brian worked in the restaurant business while attending college part-time. Meeting his future wife, Andrea, changed his work direction and he became a skilled carpenter. The couple married in December of 1986, and skipped a honeymoon to purchase a spectacular home on the Mississippi River Parkway in Minneapolis. There, they happily remodeled this home and welcomed two sons: Steven and Nicholas. Brian loved his family and was very, very proud of his sons.

A family trip to Allamakee County in 1997 convinced Andrea and Brian to buy some land on Paint Creek for future retirement. For various reasons, these three outdoor “guys” and one mom initiated a move to Iowa in 2005 ...WAY before Brian’s retirement! Brian continued his carpentry work with Mike Ferring Construction in Waukon, IA. It was during the summer of 2005 that Brian and his family began attending Old East Paint Creek Church. Over the years, Brian had a role within the Church Council- first as trustee and later as Vice President.

Brian’s favorite moments were spent with his family, often centered on a project – building something, fixing anything, or improving the family property. Hunting was an important part of his life, and he was a hell of a shot.

Always healthy and vigorous, Brian’s diagnosis of stage 4, metastatic prostate cancer came as a shock in August of 2024. Despite surgery, radiation, hormone blockade medications, and chemotherapy, the rare and aggressive form of the disease progressed. Throughout his illness, Brian and Andrea looked to the actual words of Jesus as we “searched for a better country”. Andrea, Nick, and Steve believe that Brian looked forward to his true citizenship: in Heaven with his Lord.

Survivors include his wife: Andrea Bie Carstens of Waterville, IA; two sons: Steven Carstens of Minneapolis and Nicholas (Raelen) Carstens of Decorah, IA; granddaughter Joan; sister Linda Carstens; three brothers: Verlis (Le) Carstens, Dennis Carstens, and Wilmer (Marion) Carstens; sister-in-law Marcia Carstens; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Jerome and Bruce Carstens; and nephew Eric Olson.

Casketbearers were Steve and Nick Carstens, Mike Ferring, Dave Blocker, and Randy Gipple.