Carstens, Jean Ellen

Jean Ellen Carstens, 62, of Cedar Rapids passed away Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at the St. Luke's Methodist Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Pastor Ron Morrow will officiate with burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Jean is survived by her three children, Christine Santaguida and husband, Phil of Highland, Ind., Alan Fear and wife, Kathy of Cedar Rapids, and John Fear and wife, Ruth of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren, Holly and Eric Santaguida of Highland, Ind., Megan and Tyler Fear of Cedar Rapids, and Todd, Luke, Kyle, and Jack Fear of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Bob Carstens of Cedar Rapids and Kenny Carstens and wife, Val of Fairfax; and sister, Kathy Staskal and husband Vern, of Mount Vernon; several loving nieces, nephews and cousins; and long-time friends, Lynn Fear and Carol Mitchell.

Jean had many friends in the MHDD Supervised Apartment Living Program (SAL), especially her counselor, Cindy Locke, and friend, Shawn.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Jean was born on May 7, 1947 in Cedar Rapids to Charles G. Carstens and Eileen Darrow Carstens. A lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, she attended Fillmore Elementary and Roosevelt Junior High. She married Lynn Fear of Hopkinton Jan. 21, 1967, and they were married for 18 years.

Jean enjoyed crocheting and various crafts, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, singing in the choir, listening to music and walking. As a child she was a baton twirler and played accordion. She loved her family. She will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful medical and social services staff who have taken care of her over the years, including: Dr. Justice, Dr. Metzger, Dr. Kozeny, Dr. Richards, Dr. Penningroth, Dr. Zenk, Dr. Collette, Dr. Kopesky, Dr. Cruise, Abbe Case Management, The Abbe Center for Community Mental Health, Milestones, Linn County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services (MHDD), and the staff of St. Luke's Hospital and Living Center West.

Memorials may be directed to MHDD, SAL Program, 930 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Carstens family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.