Kermit Lee Carstens

July 26, 1944 - July 3, 2009

STRATTON -- Kermit Lee Carstens, 64, of Stratton, died Friday (July 3, 2009) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.

He was born July 26, 1944, at San Diego, Calif., to Cecil B. and Doris E. (Bartlett) Carstens and moved with his family at a young age to his family's farm in Iowa. At the age of nine, he moved with his family to Arvada, Colo., where he attended high school and grew up.

He was active in the rodeo circuit for many years competing in bull riding, team roping and calf roping and at one time was ranked 15th in the country for his talent and skill as a roper.

On Jan. 7, 1978, he married Barbara J. Adams. He worked as a carpet layer and installed thousands of yards of carpet in homes and businesses throughout the country. In his later years, he drove trucks professionally, driving for Lee Ohrman Trucking in Benkelman, and Audit Bounds in Grand Junction, Colo., where he hauled sand, gravel and other construction materials. He retired in 2008 due to his health.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Doris Carstens and two brothers, Lary and Gary.

Survivors include his wife, Barb Carstens of Stratton; sons, Rocky Lunk and wife, Lori of Grand Junction, Colo., Allen Lunk and wife, Shirley of Stratton and Darien Lunk of Grand Junction, Colo.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives, neighbors and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be Saturday 4 p.m. (MDT) at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with Larry Forch, Jr., CC, officiating. Services will conclude at the chapel with the family gathering for a private inurnment at a later date.

A memorial has been established in his name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.