Mary Jo Carstens, 79, of Quimby passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at her residence.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, at Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee. 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. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
Mary Jo (Beckman) Carstens peacefully passed away in her sleep. Mary Jo was born in St Paul, Minn., on Dec. 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, Minn., 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, Minn. During her time in Buffalo, she enjoyed playing golf and visiting siblings. Later she worked as a statistician for General Mills in Wayzata, Minn., where she met her beloved husband, Gary. They were married on Sept. 29, 1973. She later worked for Frederick Herfurth Real Estate, Inc. closing real estate contracts. Following Gary’s employment at General Mills, they moved around the country. Mary Jo and Gary moved from Minnesota to South Easton, Mass. and Cave Creek, Mo. From there Mary Jo and Gary moved to Storm Lake and finally to Quimby.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; sister Jenny (Beckman) Gunderman; twin sister Margaret (Beckman) Kajala; brother-in-laws, George Kajala and Dennis Zaun; and nephew Greg Zaun.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband Gary; her sister Karen (Beckman) Zaun; and brothers Ron Beckman and Mike Beckman.
In lieu of flowers memorials will be directed to projects in the town of Quimby.
