Lenora Karstensen

Mary Lenora Karstensen, the youngest of eight children was born to George and Nellie (Nelson) Schafer on August 18, 1920, in Lincoln Center, Iowa. Lenora entered eternal rest on Monday, December 28, 2015, at Good Samaritan Society, Villisca, Iowa, at the age of ninety-five years, four months, and ten days.
Lenora attended grade school at Fairview, Lincoln #6, and graduated from Corning High School with the class of 1939. She received her Normal Training Teacher’s Certificate and taught two years at the Houck School, Douglas Township. She married Max Miller in 1940, and four daughters were born to bless this union. They were later divorced. In 1949, Lenora began teaching at Lincoln Center and would teach there for nine years. In 1962, she began working for the Selective Service Office in Corning, and then worked in the Creston office. When the office was eventually closed, Lenora worked for the United States Postal Service as a part-time clerk and city carrier. She also worked for the Pearson Family Funeral Service in Corning, Villisca, and Lenox for many years. Lenora married Norman “Stormy” Karstensen in June, 1964, and they made Corning their home for many years. In 2009, Lenora moved to Vintage Park Apartments, Lenox, IA., and in 2012 she moved to the Good Samaritan Society, Villisca, IA.
Lenora was a member of the Corning First Presbyterian Church and was a former Sunday School teacher. She had many interests throughout her life. She was an avid reader and she also enjoyed golfing, woodworking, and baking. She loved the outdoors where she spent many hours tending her flower garden, and feeding and watering the birds. She had a love for writing letters and cards and sending them to family and friends. She was a hard worker her entire life who enjoyed sewing, and she provided for her family by making all of her children’s clothes. Lenora’s great joy in life was the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren, who meant everything to her.
Left to cherish Lenora’s memory are her daughters: Janiece Brokaw, Villisca, IA; Rita Rohrssen, Woodstock, GA; seven grandchildren: Robb Wheeler, Corning, IA; Brenda Barber, Des Moines, IA; Norman Bruns, Sigourney, IA; Michael Bruns, Hubbard, IA; Kevin Lawrence, Kansas City, MO; Wendy Rohrssen, Woodstock, GA; Christy Henderson, Chicago, Il; nine great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Preceding Lenora in death were her parents; first husband, Max Miller, in 1980; second husband, Stormy in 1993; daughters: Mary Bruns in 2003; Aneita Wheeler in 2015; one grandson: Andrew; one granddaughter: Barb; great-grandchild: R.J.; sons-in-law: Jerry Rohrssen; Larry Wheeler; brothers: Delmont, Ornal, Boyd, and Seymour Schafer; sisters: Lucille Lemon; Lola Vogel; and Velma Schafer.