Berneta Carstensen, age 99, of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. Berneta Bernice Rohde was born on August 31, 1924, to parents William and Jennie (Schoneboom) Rohde in Crawford County, IA. She grew up in Herring, a small town south of Wall Lake. Berneta attended Levey Township #8 Country School through the eighth grade. She was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake on November 23, 1924, and later confirmed in faith there on June 13, 1940. Berneta moved to Salinas, CA, and lived there for several years working for Mass Stores, Inc. as an assistant manager before moving back to Iowa.
On November 25, 1946, Berneta married Donald Aschinger in Wall Lake. This union was blessed with six children: Marsha, Connie, Marilyn, Randy, Lori, and Donna. Don and Berneta raised their family on farms near Westside, Nemaha and just outside of Lake View. They enjoyed golf, dancing, playing cards, attending sporting events, and family summer trips with the bowling group to Okoboji. Sadly, after 35 years of marriage, Don passed away on October 27, 1981, at the age of 56.
On September 4, 1984, Berneta was united in marriage to Wallace Carstensen. From this union she gained two children, Connie and Kevin. Wally and Berneta farmed near Odebolt. She and Wally golfed, joined supper clubs, played cards, traveled and especially loved spending the winters in Arizona. They were married for 24 years before his passing on July 17, 2008.
Berneta was more than a homemaker, she was a farm wife. She always helped around the farm and had a large garden every year, with plenty of canning at the end of each summer. She was always busy cooking meals for the family as well as feeding the farm helpers. The story goes that the traveling farm salesmen would pay a visit to the farm before the noon meal, primarily so that they would be invited to stay for her good cooking! Her passion was baking and she always made delicious batches of chocolate chip cookies, as well as making another dessert almost daily. In addition to her other activities, Berneta was skilled at embroidering. She would make each child/grand/great an embroidered set of tea towels as a very special and personalized wedding gift.
Berneta truly enjoyed her morning coffee/breakfast with some very special ladies at Doc’s Place in Wall Lake. She was so happy to celebrate her 99th birthday with family and her coffee friends this past August 31st. Berneta lived independently until September 1st, when she moved into the assisted living facility. While she was a calm and relatively quiet personality, she certainly possessed a silent strength. She lived a full life and was a devoted, kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and BIG grandma, who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Berneta is survived by her children, Marsha Larson of Lake Crystal, MN, Connie Wyckoff of Littleton, CO, Marilyn McBride of Denver, CO, Randy (Sandy) Aschinger of Lake View, IA, Lori (David) King of Round Rock, TX, Donna (Jeff) Rasmussen of Ida Grove, IA, and stepson Kevin (Terri) Carstensen of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren and their families, Michelle (Jay) Hanson – Alyssa (Sam) Gavin and Erika Hanson; Scott (Sara) Larson – Caden, and Griffin; Dana (Robert) Smith; Ryan McBride – Kush, Kali, and Sage; Marissa McBride; Aaron McBride (fiancée Phillipa Price) – Wilde; Tim (Jessica) Aschinger – Ryan and Reese; Grant (Megan) Aschinger – Zoey, Jayna, Pryce, and Suttyn; Steven Aschinger (fiancée Michell Birkland); Sarah (Aaron) Brumit – Evelyn and Claire; Amanda (Tyler) Palmer – Caroline; Erin Rasmussen; Parker Rasmussen; step grandchildren and their families, Distie (Seth) Profit – Zachary and Peyton; Charise (Rory) Flynn – Jadyn and Tegan; Durel (Kasey Jo) Carstensen – Devon, Conley, and August; sisters-in-law, Cecilia Rohde and Ardell Rohde; brothers-in-law Veryl Aschinger and Leonard “Stub” Carstensen, in addition to many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jennie Rohde; husband Don Aschinger; second husband Wally Carstensen; sons-in-law Gary “Gus” Larson and John McBride; grandson Jeffrey Wyckoff; stepdaughter Connie Carstensen; parents-in-law, John and Kathryn Aschinger; brothers Wilbert, Marvin, Lester, Duane and Gordon Rohde; sisters Orlean Dozark, Dorothy Subbert, Roma Jean Blum; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Helen Rohde, Wynona Rohde, Melvin Dozark, Howard Subbert, Francis Blum, Rueben and Leola Aschinger, Manuel and Bonnie Aschinger, Lloyd Wright, Delores and LeRoy Rowedder, Paul and Joann Trost, Betty Aschinger, Marlin and Lorraine Aschinger, Jody Aschinger; Chris and Irene Carstensen, Ferne Carstensen, Paul and Elsa Morgan; Jules “Dick” and Evangeline Carstensen; Nick and Gene Carstensen, Jr., Sid and Rose Carstensen, Earl and Helen Bettin, and John and Frieda Collins.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, September 18, 2023, at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, IA, with Reverend Roger Carlisle officiating. Interment was at the Wall Lake Cemetery with Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Wall Lake in charge of arrangements.
