Obituary: Jo Ann Carstens

Jo Ann Carstens
Feb. 13, 1944 — Aug. 16, 2008Beloved Meeker resident Jo Ann Carstens, 64, died surrounded by those she loved Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at Pioneers Hospital.
Jo Ann Murray Carstens arrived at the pioneer home of Bill and Mary (Holland) Murray on Little Beaver on Feb. 13, 1944. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill, and Marvin, her husband of 39 years who passed away in February of this year.
Jo Ann is survived by her son, Joe and his wife Tina Carstens of Rangely, those treasured people, her grandchildren, Savannah, Joshua, Drew and Maryinna, great-grandchildren, Evan and Ema and her very special friends who gave her a group hug when she received the news of her cancer diagnosis and co-workers at Pioneers Hospital and friends in the Walbridge Wing who benefited from her generosity and love. Jo Ann is also survived by her sister-in-law Margaret “Pan‚” Mur-ray as well as two aunts, Norine Holland and Opal Murray and one nephew, Devin Murray and his wife Chris.
Jo Ann was blessed with close friends who tenderly cared for her during her last days.
Reminiscing with Jo Ann was like stepping back into time. She had great stories of the one-room school house on Little Beaver. One of her most vivid memories concerned the soups and stews set on the pot-bellied stove for hot lunches for the teachers and students.
Jo Ann spent her life in Meeker where she was a beautician, clerk at Jirak Corner Drug, and employee at Watt’s Market and Pioneers Hospital. Her hobby was gathering and nurturing friends.
She was as warm and cheerful as the bright colors she loved. Surely the gates of heaven are wide open to receive her.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Holy Family Catholic Church.
Interment services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walbridge Wing Activity Fund.
Cochran Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.