Gerald William Carsten

Rock Rapids, IA: Gerald William Carsten, 89, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, formerly Aurelia, Iowa, died Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids. A visitation with the family present will be held Saturday, September 6, from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley, Iowa. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 PM at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Aurelia.

   Gerald William Carsten, son of Chester and Mary Irene (Williams) Carsten, was born June 21, 1936, at Kearney, Nebraska. He grew up in Nebraska until the family moved to Bonesteel, South Dakota where Gerald graduated from Bonesteel High School. On October 25, 1958, Gerald was united in marriage with Laura Louis Counts in Bonesteel. The couple eventually moved to Aurelia, Iowa, where Gerald worked as a farmhand for several farmers around the area. Laura passed away in 1996. In time Gerald left the Aurelia area and in 2024 he moved to Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

   Gerald was a devoted family man with a strong Christian faith. He was always willing to help others at a moment’s notice. Gerald was an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church during his years living and working around Aurelia. He was a man who lived out his faith in God, a man of great honor and integrity. Gerald deeply enjoyed spending time with family.

   Gerald is survived by his two daughters, Sharon (Tim) Plucker and Joyce (Jim) Loudenslager, both of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 7 grandchildren, Madelyn (Peter) Plucker Carrizales, Aaron Loudenslager, John (Shannon) Plucker, Carsen Loudenslager, Matthew Plucker, Pierce Loudenslager, and Addison Loudenslager; and 2 great-grandchildren.

   Preceding Gerald in death were his parents, Chester and Mary Irene; wife, Laura Carsten; brother, Robert Carsten; and sister, Alyce (Carsten) Mills.