Walter John Fred Carstenbrock, 86
Walter John Fred Carstenbrock, 86 of Austin, died on July 7, 2009 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.
Walt was born Aug. 16, 1922 in St. Louis Park, Minn. to Fred and Margaret (Parmeter) Carstenbrock. A 1941 graduate of St. Louis Park High School, Walter served three and a half years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Walt earned a BA degree from Augsburg College in 1949 and a Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1951. He married Marvel Croft in 1948 and entered a joy filled marriage of 61 years. In 1951 Walt began a career with the YMCA in Minneapolis. In 1964 he was appointed Executive Director of the Austin YMCA. Walter oversaw the construction, establishment and growth of Austin’s new YMCA. He served as Executive Director for 15 years. Walt was an active contributor to the community. Over the years he held numerous offices in the Austin United Way, Austin Community Service Advisory Committee, Austin Rotary Club and the local chapter of the AARP. A long time member of Grace Baptist Church he served on numerous church boards. Walter was a wonderful, kind and generous man who will be deeply missed by many.
Walter is survived by his wife, Marvel Carstenbrock, Austin; sons, Ronald (Mary)  Carstenbrock, Nipomo, Calif., Jay (Barbara) Carstenbrock, Glen Ellyn, Ill.; daughter, Beth (Charles)  Peters, Austin; grandchildren, Molly  Carstenbrock, Wheaton, Ill., Megan Carstenbrock, Glen Ellyn, Ill., Emily  Carstenbrock, Glen Ellyn, Adrienne (A. J.) Dombeck, Bemidji, Minn., Stephanie Peters, Wheaton, Ill. and Justin Peters, Austin.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Gordon D. Larson officiating. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Friends may greet the family for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. The family prefers memorials to the Austin YMCA, 704 1st Drive NW or to Grace Baptist Church, 100 4th Avenue SE. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.