Darlene C. Carstens

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Darlene C. Carstens, 96, of Davenport, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home. Private burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made to Handicapped Development Center and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Mrs. Carstens died Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Genesis East, Davenport.

Darlene Catherine Roussell was born on May 4, 1926 in Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of Chris and Freda (Kisting) Roussell. She married Fredell Erwin Carstens, Sr. on December 31, 1945 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Davenport.  He preceded her in death on January 30, 2017 following 71 years of marriage.  Darlene worked for many years at St. Ambrose University in the food service department and in her younger years at John Deere.

Family was always first and foremost for Darlene.  She cherished her family and the times they spent together.  She enjoyed golfing, bowling, bicycling, dancing, playing euchre with family and friends and traveling.

Darlene was very active as a Girl Scout Leader, President of the P.T.A. at St. Mary’s Catholic School, and a volunteer with AMP.

Survivors include her children: Fred (Mary Ann) Carstens, Jr., Davenport, Catherine (Tom) Caldwell, Donahue, Barbara Parsons, Colorado, and Thomas J. (Lisa) Carstens, Sr., Princeton, Iowa; seven grandchildren sixteen great-grandchildren: and a sister, Mary Piercy, Champaign, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Thomas (TC) J.  Carstens, Jr., and parents and siblings: Donald Roussell, Doris Hollmer, and Leo Roussell, and an infant sister, Edith.  May they rest in peace.