Mildred Carstens, age 98 of St. Peter, MN, died September 14, 2013 at her residence. Memorial services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Will Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Mildred Ann Kessler was born on 7/27/15 in Artesian, SD. She grew up near Epiphany, SD on her parents' farm and attended school in that area. On 9/12/38 she married Herman Carstens in Mitchell SD, was a dedicated wife for 52 years and they had three daughters. Mildred and Herman were equal partners on the farm and in all endeavors. Mildred never shied away from hard work but always embraced the chance to have fun. She cooked and baked delicious food for her first two jobs, as a farm wife, and for the joy of feeding those she loved. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to be a salesperson of dressed chickens, asparagus, cream, eggs, and a multitude of beautifully handmade crafts. She babysat for many children and later started a preschool in her home in Mitchell. Her industrious nature, creativity and value of recycling & reusing, affected all that she did. Throughout the years volunteering brought great joy to her life. A sharp card player, she played with anyone who was interested, children and adults: family, friends and fellow residents at her assisted living apartment in St Peter MN. She often expressed how blessed she felt with the loving care she received there her last 11 years. Mildred talked about her three lives, all being so happy: her childhood, her married life and then her life once Herman was gone. Mildred was quoted to say, "With changes in my life, whether they were what I wanted or not, I learned to accept them. Then I learned to love them." Grateful for having shared her life, were her daughters and their spouses: Norma (Frank) Fettig, Shari (Larry) Fettig, Linda (Gary) Adams; her grandchildren: Frank G, Tami (Jack), Debra (Eric), Sue (Tom), Jacqui, Doug (Dar), Mark (Debbie), Michelle (Howard), Scott (Nichole), David (Amy), Sarah (Troy), and Rebecca. her great grandchildren: Ryan, Nick, Jesse, Jeremiah, Josh J, Dylan, Samantha, Tyler, Kyra, Michael, Josh R, Logan, Rachelle, Brandon, Claire, Grace, Jayde, Evan, Kayla, Seth, Eowyn, Bryce, Tristan and Hannah; her great great grandchildren: Chloe and Damian; her sister in laws, Gladys Kessler and Dorothy Ebener along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Herman in 1990, ten siblings, and great grandson Carter.