Obituary: Clayton A. Carstens

Clayton A. Carstens, age 83, passed away on Dec. 13, 2013, in Grand Junction, Colo.
Clayton was born Oct. 7, 1930, in Glenwood Springs, Colo., the son of Alex and Nona Carstens.
He spent his childhood in Tucumcari, N.M., and Meeker, Colo. He was graduated from Meeker High School. He also met his future wife, Mina LaPriel Dunn, in Meeker.
Clayton enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served during the Korean Conflict. Clayton and LaPriel were married in Anacostia, Va., in the Naval Chapel on March 7, 1953.
Following his honorable discharge, they moved to Meeker to begin their 60 years of marriage.
Clayton is survived by sons Kelly and his wife Kayla Carstens, of Arvada, Colo., and Rand and his wife Julie Carstens, of Reseda, Calif.; grandchildren Kenton Alex Carstens, Kyle Andrew Carstens and Emilee Noelle Carstens; one brother, Jim, and his wife, Dawn Carstens, of Palisade, Colo.
Clayton was a gentle and caring man. He always served as a great example to family and business associates of how to lead a respected and honorable life. He cherished his family and friends and will surely be missed by them all.
A celebration of his life will be held at a gravesite service in Meeker for friends and family at a date to be determined in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Hope West Hospice, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, Colo., 81506.