Mary Josepha Carstens

MARY JO CARSTENS
Mary Jo Carstens, age 79 of Quimby, IA, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at her residence in Quimby. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA. Pastor Karen Currier will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
Mary Jo (Beckman) Carstens peacefully passed away in her sleep at her home in Quimby, Iowa, on May 27, 2025. Mary Jo was born in St Paul, MN on December 8, 1945. The Beckman family owned a dairy farm where Mary Jo helped with the farm work. Mary Jo attended St John's Elementary School in Jordan, MN and graduated from Jordan High School in 1963. She enrolled in Mankato State College (presently known as Minnesota State University, Mankato) and in 1967 graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics.
After college graduation Mary Jo and her twin sister, Margaret, spent a couple of weeks touring Europe. Mary Jo accepted a position teaching high school mathematics in Buffalo, MN. During her time in Buffalo, she enjoyed playing golf and visiting siblings. Later she worked as a statistician for General Mills in Wayzata, MN where she met her beloved husband, Gary. They were married on September 29, 1973. She later worked for Frederick Herfurth Real Estate, Inc. closing real estate contracts. Following Gary's employment at General Mills around the country, Mary Jo and Gary moved from Minnesota to South Easton, Massecuites and Cave Creek, Missouri. From there Mary Jo and Gary moved to Storm Lake, Iowa and finally to Quimby, Iowa. Mary Jo is preceded in death by her parents, sister Jenny (Beckman) Gunderman, twin sister Margaret (Beckman) Kajala, brother- in- laws George Kajala and Dennis Zaun, nephew Greg Zaun.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband Gary, her sister Karen (Beckman) Zaun, brothers Ron Beckman and Mike Beckman.
In lieu of flowers memorials will be directed to projects in the town of Quimby