Linda Lee Carstens

Linda Lee Carstens, 80, of Benson, died on Tuesday morning, November 9, 2021, at the Miller Dawn Hospital in Duluth. Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Benson, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm. Interment will be in the Appleton City Cemetery. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is in charge of the arrangements.

Linda Lee (Vergin) Carstens was born on August 29, 1941, to Walter and Esther (Kolstad) Vergin. She grew up in Cashel Township, being one of twelve children born to this union. She attended country school district #7l and graduated Benson Senior High School.

Linda was united in marriage to Kenneth Carstens on December 26, 1959, in Benson, Minnesota. They farmed the Carstens’ family farm north of Appleton until Kenny lost his sight. They then moved to Virginia, Minnesota in 1966, where together they operated a coffee shop at the St. Louis County Courthouse for 16 years. After that they went into the woodworking business and did craft shows until Kennys’s death.

After Kenny's death on Wednesday, August 20, 2003, Linda moved back to Benson to be with family and to help take care of her Mom.  She loved gardening, fishing, playing cards and cribbage, woodworking, doing puzzles, gardening, and water aerobics. Family gatherings were so important to her and she loved attending the annual sister's weekend. Linda had an adventurous spirit and in her life, she took flying lessons, and with Kenny, they rode snowmobile, tandem bike, and they especially enjoyed riding motorcycle. She was a board member at the Benson Public Library and a member of the Swift County Historical Society. She was also active at St Mark's Church, and loved taking care of her dog and companion, Missy. She was called from this life on Tuesday morning, November 9, 2021, at the Essentia Miller Dawn Hospital in Duluth. She attained the age of 80 years, 2 months, and 11 days.

Linda is survived by her siblings, Joan (Gerald) Johnson of Boulder City, Nevada, Ramona (Walter) Young of Benson, MN, Roger (Shirley) Vergin of Plato, MN, Dennis Vergin of Minneapolis, MN, Jane Lee of Glenwood, MN, Donald (Nancy) Vergin of Benson, MN, David Vergin of DeGraff, MN and Gail (Rodney) Skowronek of Forest Lake, MN: a sister-in-law, Sharon Vergin of Willmar, MN; a brother-in-law, Victor Arnold of Appleton, MN; and nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Esther, her husband Kenneth, and her brothers Floyd, Gary, and Gene (Charles). Blessed be her memory.