Virginia “Ginger” Lou Carstensen, age 78, passed away peacefully at home in Sturgis, SD, on Monday, April 7, 2025. She was born on July 24, 1946, in Presho, SD, and remains a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
Ginger went to country school in Lyman County, SD, for eight years, and graduated as the valedictorian of Presho High School’s class of 1964. She then attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, where she was a member of five honor societies – Sociology, Psychology, English, Foreign Language, and Leadership and Scholastic Honor Society. While at Morningside she served as a dorm resident advisor, dorm officer, and chaplain. She graduated magna cum laude from Morningside in 1968.
After graduation she worked for one year at the South Dakota Department of Social Services. She was then sent to graduate school at the University of Denver where she received her Master’s in Social Work in 1971. While in graduate school she met Richard “Dick” Carstensen; they were married on December 27, 1970 at the Methodist Church in Presho, SD. In her career as a social worker she worked for the Meade County School District, Catholic Social Services for 20 years starting in 1986, and as an adoption supervisor for Holt International for 10 years. She was one of three South Dakotans selected to be a master trainer for professionals working with birth parents. She received the Wind Beneath My Wings award from the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Benedict Award from Catholic Social Services for her birth parent and adoption counseling.
Ginger and Dick moved to Sturgis in 1973. They adopted three children – Beka in 1972, Mark in 1974, and Sara in 1976. While living in Sturgis, Ginger was involved in the community in many ways, including as a Brownie Girl Scout leader, 4-H leader, Beta Sigma Phi sorority member, and as a member of the American Association of University Women. Over the years she and Dick hosted five foreign exchange students at their home on Glover Street, along with SD State Junior Miss participants. Ginger was a very active member of the United Women in Faith group at Sturgis United Methodist Church. She served at both the local and district levels of UWF for many years.
In 2001, she and Dick left Glover Street and moved to a new house in Boulder Canyon known to the family as “The Meadow,” where many quiet afternoons were spent watching the bluebirds from the porch, and evenings watching the deer move in to eat the grass and flowers. The house at The Meadow became a hub of family activity and many fun memories were created there.
Among Ginger’s favorite interests were embroidery, reading, researching family genealogy, and of course attending her kids’ and grandkids’ activities. She also enjoyed collecting glassware and depression glass of all kinds and colors. She was a world traveler, traveling to Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, Israel, Palestine, Canada, and all 50 states.
Ginger is survived by her husband of 54 years, Richard Carstensen; her children Beka Zerbst (Richard), Mark Carstensen (Heidi), and Sara Craig (Scott); siblings Ray Dolly (Essie), and Sandi Smith (Roger); and grandchildren Katie, Gabe, Serena (Jazz), Bae, Iris, Carson, Rowan, Remy, and Ronin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin “Pete” and Lois Dolly, infant son Chad Emmett, infant granddaughter Willow Song Switzer, and older brother Richard Dolly.
Ginger lived a life of service and faith and will be missed by everyone she touched.
Memorials services will be Friday, April 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Sturgis United methodist Church, Sturgis, SD.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
