Kennedy (Ken) Peter Carstens

August 31, 1932 - December 7, 2020

Kennedy (Ken) Peter Carstens, 88, of Alexandria, passed from this life on Monday, December 7, 2020, after a brief illness. He was born to Janice Owen and Carl Sloane Carstens on August 31, 1932. He graduated Bolton High School, class of 1951, and Virginia Military Institute in 1955. Ken was married to Anne (Nee) Fredric Carstens for 36 years until her timely death. He primarily worked at the family business, Schnack’s Fine Jewelry until his retirement. Ken loved the outdoors and spent many hours in the woods searching for wildflowers and birds. He was active in the Louisiana Nature Conservancy, Lion’s Club and the VMI Alumni Club. He was an avid stamp collector. Ken’s great love for History led him to travel and he loved to visit his friends and family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Janice Carstens; wife Anne Fredric Carstens; and his sister, Janice Carstens Luck. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Susan Carstens Menache and husband Lawrence, Sarah (Cece) Frances Carstens; 1 granddaughter, Meredith Carstens Menache; his brother, Carl Rand Carstens and many nieces and nephews. He will be especially missed by his loving companion of 25 years, Rebecca Elliott and her family. Services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at St. James Episcopal Church with The Rev. Timothy Heflin officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home. Masking and social distancing will be enforced. Pallbearers honored to serve will be Dr. Lawrence Menache, William Schnack Carstens, Steve Dubois, Scott Viator, JA Sinclair and Trenton Ewing. Honorary pallbearer will be Carl Rand Carstens. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to St. James Episcopal Church at 1602 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301.