James "Jim" D. Carstensen

James “Jim” D. Carstensen, age 63, of Markesan, passed away unexpectedly at work on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Saputo Cheese in Alto, WI. Jim was born on October 9, 1962 in Waupun; the son of Richard and Dorraine (Meyer) Carstensen. He attended and graduated from Markesan High School, Class of 1981. After graduating high school, Jim served his country in the United States Army National Guard from 1981 to 1988. He was united in marriage to Linda Henning on May 29, 1984 in Fond du Lac, WI. In 1992, they moved to Green Valley, AZ and returned to Wisconsin in 2010.

Jim grew up farming on the family farm in Markesan. He worked as an appliance technician at Al’s Appliance and TV for 18 years. In September 2010, he started working as a Whey Dryer and Operator at Saputo in Alto in the Whey plant. Jim had a big sense of humor and was known to be quite the prankster at home and at work. He enjoyed mowing lawns and tinkering projects, always able to fix anything. He was a Green Bay Packer fan. His biggest pride and joy were spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Linda; 2 daughters: Tabitha (Justin) Petitt of Ripon, and Torie (Nolan) Abel of Linn Grove, IA; son, Joshua (Maggie) Carstensen of Braunfels, TX; 8 grandchildren: Tayler, Dakota, Liliah, Madison, Everett, Finley, Braelynn, and Lainey; his mother, Dorraine Heitman; 6 brothers; 5 sisters; other relatives and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard; step father, Carl Heitman; paternal grandparents, Clarence and Emily Carstensen; maternal grandparents, John and Dora Meyer, and an infant sister.

A Memorial Service for Jim will be held at 1:00PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Divine Passage Funeral Home, 175 N Douglas Street, in Ripon.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00AM until 1:00PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Divine Passage Funeral Home in Ripon. Interment will be held in Liberty Prairie Cemetery in Pickett at a later date. Divine Passage Funeral Home in Ripon is proudly serving the family during this difficult time. Divinepassagefunerals.com

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