FLANAGAN - Delbert R. Carstens, 79, of Flanagan, died at 3:52 a.m. yesterday (June 25, 1991) at Saint James Hospital, Pontiac.

He was born Nov. 16, 1911, in Rooks Creek Township, the son of Dietrich and Estella Mae (Albertson) Carstens.

He married Hazel M. Jenkins March 10, 1925, in Long Point. She died Dec. 31, 1989.

Mr. Carstens attended First Baptist Church of Graymont. He was a Rooks Creek Township Trustee for 23 years. He owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Graymont from 1849 to 1953 and farmed most of his life.

Surviving are three sons: Raymond, Graymont; Harold, Flanagan; and Dale, Pontiac; one brother: Edward, Pontiac; three sisters: Lola Akers, Pontiac; Mary Matter and Clara Tammen, both of Flanagan; and five grandchildren.

One son, four brothers, three sisters and one granddaughter preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the memorial home. His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan, the Rev. Michael Hillyer officiating. Burial will be in Rooks Creek Cemetery, Graymont.

Memorials may be made to Saint James Hospice program, Pontiac.

Source: The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) of 26 Jun 1991, Wed. Page 27

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U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969
Name: Delbert Raymond Carstens
Record Type: Confirmation
Birth Date: 16 Nov 1911
Confirmation Date: 13 Apr 1930
Father: Dietrich Carstens
Church Name: St John
Church Location: Flanagan, Illinois
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His obituary mentions him having six sisters and five brothers. Adding Delbert, that would be twelve children. His sister Lola's obituary mentions being predeceased by nine brothers and sisters and survived by one, so that is eleven children. His father's obituary lists nine surviving children and states "Three children have preceded him in infancy." I believe they are Alta, Nola and Infant Son, all buried at Mount Zion Cemetery.
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From my research, I believe these to be the children of Dietrich and Estella Carstens:
Infant Son Carstens 1895–1895
Alta Marea Carstens 1899–1899
Nola Carstens 1901–1903
Albert Carstens 1904–1935
Lola Carstens 1905–2012
Nellie Carstens 1908–1957
Ralph Carstens 1909–1981
Delbert Raymond Carstens 1911–1991
Mary Ellen Carstens 1916–2001
Edward Carstens 1917–1996
Clara Agnes Carstens 1921–2016
Lester W Carstens 1924–1948