GUILFORD – Anita M. Carsten, 78, longtime partner in Deer Valley Farm in Guilford, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, April 13, 2008 in the Chase Memorial Nursing Home of New Berlin, where she had made her home for the past several years.
The daughter of Roland and Helen (Spotts) Ritchie, Anita was born in Johnson City in June of 1929. She lived briefly in McDonough and Coventry, but spent most of her school years in Oxford, where she was involved in the 4-H program and discovered her love of horses. Following her graduation from Oxford High School, Anita was employed by the GLF Feed Store in Norwich and also worked in the Henry Street Bakery, which was owned by her family. On Sept. 16, 1950, in Oxford, she married John J. Carsten, and became both a busy farm wife and an active participant in the operation of Deer Valley Farm in Guilford, John having been a partner in the enterprise since its creation in 1948. A good wife and mother, Anita was a strong and determined lady who had faced and overcome some health obstacles in her early adult years. She belonged to several of the area granges, and was a member of long standing of the Calvary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. Following the sale of Deer Valley in 1999, Anita and John took a year to enjoy traveling throughout the United States in their RV.
Anita is survived by her children and their spouses: JoAnn Carsten of Hawaii, Steven Carsten of Denver, Colo., Jean and David Madison of Norwich, Seth and Kathleen Carsten of Georgetown, June and Mark Decker of Davenport, Sharon and Robert Short of Otego, and Rebecca and Stanley Wehking of Elizabeth, Colo.; by 14 grandchildren: Kim, Kellie and husband Tim (T.J.), Carrie, Angela, Amy, Zachary, Altiera, Travis, Ashley, Mariah, Logan, Adam, Brad and Craig; and by her great-grandchildren: Isis and Caleb John. She was predeceased by her husband John on Nov. 28, 2006.
Funeral services for Anita will be held at noon on Saturday from the Calvary Baptist Church. The Rev. Brian Conover, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in the Godfrey Cemetery, Guilford. Friends are invited to call at the Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Chase Capital Project Fund, 1 Terrace Heights, New Berlin NY 13411; or to the Calvary Baptist Church, 75 Calvary Drive, Norwich NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.