Carsten Steen

     Carsten Steen, age 89, of Waterloo, IA, formerly of Decorah, IA, died on Friday, September 12, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2014, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. David Sorenson and Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA.      Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Friday morning.        Carsten Donald Steen was born on June 30, 1925, in rural Bethel, MN, the son of Carl and Delia (Vick) Steen. Carsten graduated from Canton High School in 1944 and later that year enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines, where he served until 1946. He owned a taxi company, an ambulance service and a Conoco station, all in Decorah. In 1958 he moved to Waterloo and began working as a machinist at John Deere Tractor Works. Carsten was united in marriage to Beverly Anderson on June 6, 1959 at Decorah Lutheran Church. They are the parents to Cheri and Lori. In 1963 they moved into the house he built for them in rural Waterloo where they have continued to live. Carsten retired from John Deere in 1987. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren Hunter and Macy, watching NASCAR and the Iowa Hawkeyes, and working in his yard.       Carsten is survived by his wife: Beverly. Two daughters: Cheri (Robert Nemmers) Steen, Waterloo, and Lori (Matthew) McCallum, Denver, IA. Two grandchildren: Hunter McCallum, Aurora, CO, and Macy McCallum, Denver, IA. Two brothers: Arthur Steen, Marion, IA, and Lester Steen, Ham Lake, MN. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in law: Frances and Emil Frana, Decorah, IA, Marion Anderson, Decorah, IA, Anita Anderson, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Bob Grindeland, Seattle, WA, and many nieces and nephews.      Carsten was preceded in death by one brother: Merlin Steen. One sister: Crystal Spilde. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law: Louise Steen, Myron Spilde, Peggy Steen, Ardis Steen, Loretta & Marc Phillips, Irene and Gary Groth, Clara and Leon Williams, Almeda Grindeland, Pauline and Ken Keune, Gordon Anderson, Donald Anderson, Herman and Lois Anderson, and Kathy and Al Holten. Memorials may be directed to the family.