April
7, 1921 - Dec. 7, 2009SOUTH BEND - Catherine L. Carstens, 88, of South Bend, IN, passed on to heaven on Monday, December 7, 2009. She was born on April 7, 1921 to the late John and Elizabeth ( ) Filacy in Fresoil, MI, and has lived in South Bend most of her life. Along with her parents; her former husband, Russell Anson; and one daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Anson also preceded her in death. On July 2, 1948, as Catherine L. Filacy, she married Hazleton W. Carstens in South Bend, IN. He died on October 17, 2009. She is survived by her daughter, Robin Carstens of South Bend, IN; two sons, Larry Carstens of Blaine, MN; Chris (Nancy Shen) Carstens of South Bend, IN; five grandchildren, Christine Carstens, Corey (Lorissa) Carstens; Nicholas Carstens; Eleanor Pijut; Marilyn Baker; two great-grandchildren, Stephen and Amy; six sisters, Donna (Clyde) Ororke; Vera "Tootsie" Gilman; Geraldine Tomasczewski; Judy ? ; and Dolores Twisko, all of Manistee, MI; and Norma Christenson of Montana. Mrs. Carstens enjoyed volunteering for the girl and boy scouts; and was also a volunteer for the Red Cross. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit from 2-3 p.m. Saturday in Kaniewski Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 or Christ Chapel, P.O. Box 2438, South Bend, IN 46680. The family wishes to thank the following people for their unlimited capacity to love: Alfred Cox, M.D.; Richard Buck, M.D.; The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care; Stephen and Diane Sumrall; Christ Chapel; Ardmore Brethren Church; and Federal Mogul. To send condolences, please visit, www.kaniewski.com.