Reta M. Carstens

Funeral services for Reta M. Carstens, age 80, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue in Norfolk. Chaplain Jim Wonnacott will officiate, with burial in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Reta died Friday, January 16, 2026, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Reta Marie Carstens, daughter of Philipp and Florence (Gilmore) Fink, was born in Norfolk on June 8, 1945. She graduated from Norfolk Public High School and attended Joseph’s College of Beauty.

She met Lawrence “Red” Carstens at the local dance hall, and the two were united in marriage on September 3, 1967. They were blessed with two children.

Family was important to Reta. She was a homemaker much of her life and was a second mom to her grandchildren. She was known throughout her family for the fluffiest, tallest angel food cakes she would lovingly bake for all their special occasions. A caretaker through and through, she delighted in the fish and snails in her aquarium and tended to her flower garden with her green thumb.

Reta was feisty, stubborn, and sassy. She loved music and dancing, going out to see her son’s band play, and enjoyed having a cigarette with her red beer.

She is survived by her children, Jared (Christina) Carstens and Audra Marr; grandchildren, Kashia Eden, Shania Carstens, Destyne Carstens, Shay Carstens, and Naketa Carstens; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Red; one brother; and one sister.

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