"Sending prayers & sympathy to the Armstrong Family on the loss of Colleen. The pictures are great. She has her mom's smile. Hugs. Eileen Leahy McFee"
In loving memory of
Colleen Rae Carstens
November 14, 1954 - July 3, 2020
Colleen Rae Carstens, the daughter of Gene and Mavis Armstrong, was born on November 14th 1954 in Waterloo, Iowa. She attended Columbus High School in Waterloo and worked for the Waterloo Courier and Ramada Inn after graduation.
On October 23, 1976 she married Scott Carstens. In 1977 they moved first to Ruthven, then Armstrong, Iowa where Scott was employed as a teacher. Exactly a year after being married, on October 23, 1977 they had their first child, a son, they named Michael. His sister, Alicia, was born on January 8, 1980. In 1984, they moved to Florida for the promise of better opportunities and warmer weather.
In 2000, she finished her Bachelor's in Accounting at FAU and later went on to obtain her MCSE certification from Microsoft. She worked for Westport Yacht Sales as an Administrative Manager for 13 years until she retired in 2015.
Colleen was known for her quick wit and loved socializing; especially with friends and family but could talk to anyone else that she met along the way. She also adored children, as they did her. She loved to read and traded books back and forth with her sisters. Her favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends around the pool and at the beach.
She loved welcoming northern family to her Florida home - especially the nieces and nephews that would visit over spring break.
Colleen also liked a good adventure and she and Scott traveled to Europe 5 times, visiting England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, France and Greece. They also visited major cities and regions of the United States, taking in many State and national parks along the way.
In 2018, Scott and Colleen relocated back to Iowa and settled in Iowa City to be closer to family.
Colleen passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020 at the Bird House Hospice in Iowa City at the age of 65, following a three-year battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her father, Gene. Her mother Mavis is still living.
Also left to cherish her memory is Colleen's mother Mavis, husband Scott, her son Michael, daughter Alicia, and her grandson, Michael Klingmann. Her siblings, Christine, Greg, Mike, Paula, Patricia and Cheryl also survive her, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life event will be scheduled when the conditions related to the current pandemic improve.
Tributes
"What a wonderful lady! Our thoughts are with you! "
"Our deepest sympathy to Colleen's family and friends."
"All these fun pictures sure lifted my heart?looks like Colleen had a good life and was loved. What more can you ask for? I went to school w Colleen at SHS and CHS, and the two things I remember most about her are that she was very smart and laughed a lot. We lost track of one another over the years but old bonds never seem to break, and I have thought of her and prayed for her. I look at the pix, and it feels like yesterday, then wonder that we were ever so young! Peace and grace to the entire family at this time of loss. Julie Ernster Schaefer"
"I had the pleasure of spending my grade school years and high school years with Colleen. Because we lived so close we often walked to and home from school and other events at Sacred Heart. She was fun to be with and I admired her athletic abilities ( of which I had few). and her smile. We both had great parents and siblings and knew the value of hard work. We shared many friends and valued these close friendships. After high school and after Colleen married, we didn't see each other very often, but when we did, we could always pick up from where we left off. It makes me happy to read about and see pictures of her full and happy life. I send prayers and heartfelt condolences to her family. I was lucky to have known her. God bless you, Sue (Morrissey) McGee and Terry McGee"
"So very sorry to see you?ve lost Colleen. She was such a bright light in high school, always smiling. Her life was full and well lived And she was so loved, there?s nothing more admirable. Take care all of you?? Regina McLaughlin Krueger"